CHARITIES face an uncertain future after bosses from Lincolnshire County Council said they are "examining all contracts".

The authority has confirmed it is reviewing deals with all organisations currently used to provide services in the county, meaning many could lose out on vital funding needed to stay afloat.

Carolyn Kus, assistant director for strategic commissioning at the council, said: "In line with the Putting People First agenda, we are examining all current contracts.

"All long-term maintenance services will move to different contracting arrangements and personal budgets. We are working with a number of providers and services to support this change in commissioning.

"We will also be ensuring appropriate prevention services are available as part of our prevention strategy That Little Bit Of Help."

One organisation already dealt a blow is mental health charity Lincoln Mind, which will lose a contract worth just over £47,000 in March.

Service users at the city centre-based charity fear it will not be able to stay open.

Regular attendees say the charity acts as a meeting place for people with mental health issues and provides a range of support, information and activities.

Service user Amanda Rutter, 51, fears its benefits can't be replicated. She said: "Mind has been a lifeline for me.

"It's a place where I feel safe, where I can be myself and I'm able to admit I have mental health problems because it can be difficult to do that out in open society."

Another long-term user Kim East, of Heighington, has benefited from the service since it was founded in 1986. She said: "It's a support group I could not imagine life without and one that needs to remain."

Staff from Lincoln MIND declined to comment, but Richard Collins, head of adult commissioning at Lincolnshire County Council, said: "Mind has been aware for some time of the need to take on board the move towards personal budgets and the type of service needed to reflect this. The charity is working with us on how to move forward."

Other organisations are also preparing for potential cuts. Barry Earnshaw, chief executive of Age Concern Lincoln, which provides carer support and first contact for Lincolnshire County Council, said: "We are preparing for the possibility of needing to make efficiency savings by looking at ways we can reduce our costs now."