Save facilities for elderly

Does the community realise that Day Care centers for the Elderly in Cheshire, including Thornton House in Audlem, may close.

Under new proposals from Age Concern, who are contracted to administer Day Care by the council, the present system will be replaced by unspecified alternatives.

The ladies and gents who attend Thornton House vocally raised objections making clear their wish to stay as they are, at a meeting on 6th April.

The alternatives seemed to concentrate on the individual, whereas everyone at Day Care emphasised that what they wanted was a familiar meeting place, to get out of their own homes and meet and talk with their friends; everything else was secondary.

The financial question was never explained. Everyone attending Day Care makes a contribution of £7.50, there are usually between 15 to 18 attending. The cost of hiring Thornton House is £30 for the session and £20 is spent on refreshments.

Transport is provided by Dial-a-Ride and volunteers, who also provide the workforce. The excess monies collected presumably goes towards the expense of the two Age Concern employees who organise the Day Care but who also work in other Day Care centres during the rest of the week.

My concern is simple. That this Day Care facility will be lost, together with every other Day Care centre in Cheshire East, against the wishes of those Elderly people it serves and the communities that support it.

The decision about whether to make these changes will be made on 22nd April. I would urge anyone who has concerns to raise them with their councillor or to Age Concern as soon as possible.

Ian Walley

Audlem Online has copies of the letters sent to users of the Day Centre in Audlem. The letter says:

“Dear Client
This letter is to confirm in writing the reasons that Age Concern may be closing the day centre you attend, and to confirm the process we intend to go through to try and find you an alternative service that you think you will enjoy. You may want to show this letter to your family, friends or someone you think can advise you.

We will be creating more morning and afternoon clubs which can be held in a variety of places. This change away from the current form of day care is compatible with the current changes in the way social care is provided and funded.”

Audlem Online says: The letter then details the way the consultation will be carried out with clients starting on 12th April. Another letter from Age Concern then says that all the evidence will be presented to the trustees on 22nd April when a final decision will be made on the proposals.

That means a full ten days of consultation with its clients – just ten days. Which must be one of the most rapid client consultation exercises in the history of any organisation!

Given the reaction of users of Thornton House, it must surely be a certainty that the Trustees will reject the plans if this is a meaningful consultation. Perhaps a flood of letters and emails to Age Concern may help a lot of elderly residents of Audlem and district to keep their Day Centre – just as they like it.

You can write to Age Concern at:
314 Chester Road, Hartford, Northwich, Cheshire CW8 2AB
Email: admin@ageconcerncheshire.org.uk">admin@ageconcerncheshire.org.uk
The Age Concern Chief Executive who has signed the letters is Jill Walter. The President of the organisation is Miss E White OBE

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