Disabled adults at a Bermondsey day centre face Christmas heartache if they don’t raise enough money to buy a minibus.
The Cherry Garden Day Centre on Jamaica Road is a sanctuary for people with downs-syndrome, autism and other disabilities but it’s “on the brink” of closure, just weeks after it opened.
Staff say a minibus, costing roughly £15,000, is the key to the centre’s survival. Day Centre Manager Gemma Cooper said: “I don’t know what we’ll do if we can’t find the money. Our agreement with Southwark Council means we only get paid if our clients arrive on their scheduled days. But most of them aren’t independent enough to come on their own, so rely on family to drive them or being put in a taxi.”
So every day, clients are left stranded at home because they have no way of getting there.
“When I look at the finances my heart just sinks. If my clients don’t come, how can I pay my staff? I’m at a complete loss,” Gemma said.
Formerly known as Riverside, the day centre narrowly survived after the charity The Camden Society, run by Thera Trust, announced it was closing the building last year.
http://southwarknews.co.uk/news/health/exclusive-victory-as-southwark-council-steps-in-to-re-open-riverside-adult-day-care-centre/
The charity said it would instead offer “support in the community” and close the building described as a “lifeline” by parents and carers.
So Gemma, whose brother Lee used the centre, persuaded Southwark Council to give her the keys, and re-opened its doors earlier this month.
“The people need it. I saw how it had helped every client in here so to see them lose it – I just couldn’t stand by. Bringing it back has been amazing,” she said.
Adults with conditions including autism and downs-syndrome are taught independence skills in a safe, loving environment.
http://southwarknews.co.uk/news/community/exclusive-bermondsey-day-centre-for-disabled-adults-closes-down-without-any-consultation/
They are shown how to use money, public transport, and given guidance on how develop relationships, cook and pay their bills.
David Page, 32, is one of the clients. He enjoys drawing and seeing his friends and, as a trustee, helped design the centre’s logo.
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Steven, 67, is cared for by his 90-year-old father. He used to spend all day at home but can now enjoy films and a Christmas lunch with mates.
Lee, 39, says it’s “like a family” at the centre and that learning independence is important: “I’d find living on my own challenging.
“I’m not used to dealing with money and I don’t really cook because my mum prefers me not to cook with hot stuff. I’m more a baker than a cooker!”
Gemma says when she was given control of the centre, Southwark Council promised to give her a minibus but have since reneged on their promise.
The News understands that similar centres, like the Bede Centre on Southwark Park Road, have transport costs covered by the council.
Staff are also frustrated that despite having capacity for 100 clients, Southwark has only given them fourteen, which also hurts their finances.
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The council has also failed to repair their broken lift, they claim, meaning wheelchair users can’t get upstairs where most activities are held.
The council was approached for comment about the centre’s claims.
Southwark Council isn’t the only local authority struggling to fund adult social care. A recent survey by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) survey found that 94 per cent of councils’ adult social care directors said they don’t have enough money to fund social care in the coming months, as local authorities struggle with severe funding cutbacks from central government.
But for Gemma her aim this winter is simple – to raise money to buy a minibus: “This isn’t going to be cheap but we just want to offer them what they deserve.”
Donate to their fundraiser at: gofundme.com/f/adults-with-disabilities-access
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