Middleton Rotary dismayed at lack of response from Council Social Services

Middleton Rotary Dismayed at Lack of Response from Rochdale Social Services

The Rotary Club of Middleton says it is dismayed that Social Services officers at Rochdale Borough Council have failed to take up its offer of help to the lonely, isolated or elderly residents of Middleton.

The club is offering support to elderly people in Middleton who live in sheltered or residential accommodation. A range of support activities is on offer from befriending to social events to helping with garden maintenance.

Stuart Sawle, from the Rotary Club, said: “I first approached the Council in early December 2015 with our offer of support. Since then, despite being passed from one officer to another, we are no further forward. We have yet to have a conversation.

“We know that Social Services is hard-pressed at the moment, that’s exactly the reason we are offering support. In total we have exchanged twelve emails, each one promising that someone else will act on our initiative. The lack of a response is extremely disappointing, it’s the elderly residents that are suffering.”

The Council's communications team has not responded to an invitation to comment.