Signature and Care Support, a charity based in Havant is to merge with Choice Support, a national care charity. The union, which will be made official next month, has already created 12 jobs in the Southampton area.

Signature Care and Support, which works with vulnerable adults said the merger would help improve services to people with learning disabilities, mental health needs and behavioural challenges.

Choice Support will benefit from a new base in Hampshire.

Signature chief executive Theresa Pratt said:

“Although Signature has been part of the Choice Support Group for two years, both organisations decided it was time to merge

“The main reason for the merger was to create a bigger, more robust organisation with the associated economies of scale that will ensure that services are not only protected, but continue to thrive in the current economic climate.”