More than 300 signatures against closure of Chadwell Heath day centre but ‘no more consultation’, says council
A worker from a Chadwell Heath dementia centre being shut down by Redbridge Council has collected more than 300 signatures in a petition to halt the closure.
Eddie Allen, of Chigwell, works as a freelance therapist with elderly people at day care centres across Redbridge, including the Living Well Resource Centre in Chadwell Heath Lane.
She said: “It’s shocking that they are shutting it down, it’s such a wonderful place.
“I got to a lot of places but the staff there are absolutely amazing.
“They don’t stick people in front of the television – they play games, they exercise, they do everything and it’s wonderful to see.”
You may also want to watch:
The centre provides a range of day services for people living with the illness and their carers but it is being axed as part of a budget cut of more than £500,000.
Other centres for the elderly at Kielder Close, in Hainault and Mulberry Lodge, in Barkingside, are also being closed along with supported accommodation for young people with mental illnesses in Newbury Park.
Most Read
- 1 Childhood sweethearts to open 'Brick Lane-style' deli in Barkingside
- 2 Ex-council staff who was sacked after bailiffs turned up at his work loses unfair dismissal claim
- 3 'Like prisoners in our home': Parents of attacked 13-year-old speak out
- 4 Road and rail disruptions to expect in east London this week
- 5 Thirteen-year-old boy attacked in Ilford
- 6 Walk It Out founder launches women's boxing classes
- 7 Restaurant apologises after allegations of verbal abuse between staff
- 8 Eatery 'at risk of closure' as scammers exploit Just Eat loophole
- 9 Hundreds arrested after police crackdown on county lines
- 10 Vulnerable woman dies burning charcoal for warmth after gas and electricity are cut off
But Eddie believes transferring services to one centre will limit support and cause stress for the elderly users and their families.
A council spokesman said the closure of the Living Well Resource Centre is “not subject to further public consultation”.
He added: “It agreed when council set its Budget in February 2013 and residents have had the opportunity to express their views on this matter as part of the budget consultation.”
He said the service would be “reprovided” elsewhere.
