A VITAL children’s charity has suddenly closed its doors leaving parents and children in disarray.

PARC Essex, in Great Notley, was a children’s play and resource centre for the community.

The registered charity provided play and recreation facilities for children and young adults with additional needs and short respite care for their families and carers.

However, shockwaves were felt throughout the community when it was revealed that PARC was forced to close.

Aidan Kelly is one of many parents whose son attended the centre, and who has felt the effects of its closure.

He said: “My son Luke, 13, attends PARC and has been going there since he was 4.

"The staff who work with Luke are excellent and I feel so sorry that are now out of work.

“The closure of the centre has been a massive shock to us.  This will leave a massive gap in respite care services for parents.  

“We are big supporters and have done lots of fundraising to help keep the centre going.  

“A group of parents including me want to look into getting services back for the people of Braintree and throughout Essex.”

MP for Braintree James Cleverly also issued support for the charity, saying: “I am saddened to hear that popular local Braintree charity PARC has closed today. I had no notification that this was going to happen and will try to find more details.”

Essex County Council has issued a statement on the situation.

Council Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Early Years Beverley Egan said: “We have received notice from one of our Essex Short Breaks, Clubs, and Activities providers that they are no longer able to deliver their contract with us.

“As we have a duty of care to ensure children and young people’s needs continue to be met through Essex short breaks, clubs, and activities, we have had no choice but to reluctantly terminate our contract with them.

“While we have previously supported this provider to explore how their situation could be made more viable it became clear that was not achievable.”

“I would like to reassure families that this decision has not been taken lightly but we must act in their best interests.

“The funding that would have been spent on the contract with PARC will be redirected to the support efforts to coordinate alternative provision for families. There are no savings being considered at any point in relation to this decision. “

PARC Essex is yet to comment on the situation.