Mum speaks out over closure of centre (From Warrington Guardian)

Mum speaks out over closure of Dallam Day Centre

9:30am Friday 31st August 2012 in News

A MUM has hit out at changes following the decision to close Dallam Day Centre.

Julie Jones’ son John had been using the centre five times a week since he was 18 after suffering a brain injury in a road traffic incident.

Now aged 36 he has been using facilities across the borough as part of his daily care needs.

His primary base is at the Orford Neighbourhood Hub on Orford Park, but 53-year-old Julie does not believe the facilities match up to those which were on offer at Dallam.

Julie, of Langton Green, Woolston, said: “The staff at the hub are Dallam staff which is brilliant but I just feel it’s such a small tiny room. If they’re doing gardening they all have to do it and they might not be interested in it.

“Dallam has a lot of rooms to accommodate everyone. The staff are fantastic and it has always been a place to go to if you have a problem and they have always been able to help.”

Julie previously launched a campaign in 2005 when the centre was threatened with closure and said in previous meetings families were told new land would be available for a purpose-built centre.

But due to council funding cuts the executive board approved the closure of the centre earlier this month.

Clr Pat Wright , executive board member for health and wellbeing services, said: “Everybody recognises the scale of the financial cuts we face combined with the increasing demand for services in this area as the population ages means that we have to make difficult decisions.

“In the future our overriding priority will be helping people lead independent lives while targeting support to the most vulnerable. We’ll do this by thinking differently and being more flexible.

“This is a difficult decision and has not been taken lightly. Any changes will be carefully and sensitively managed on an individual case-by-case basis.

“We will also look to work with partners to support and signpost people with moderate or short-term needs to alternative providers in their area such as community groups and charities.”