Fears ‘lifeline’ centre for disabled people could close for good – despite reassurances from council

There are fears a ‘lifeline’ centre for disabled people could close for good – despite reassurances from the council.

Nearly 1,300 people have signed a petition to save ‘Moving On’, an Alkrington-based drop-in service that helps those with physical or sensory impairments to live a full and active life.

The centre supports people who have an ‘acquired disability’ – whether they have suffered a stroke, have an acquired brain injury or are living with a long-term health condition.

Its doors have remained closed since lockdown was announced in March but, since then, Rochdale Council has held a review of some of its adult social care services.

Officers insist they are not making cuts but ensuring specialist support is in place for some of the borough’s most vulnerable residents.

Worried service users, however, say they have had no contact with staff for six months and there appears to be no plan to reopen the doors.

They fear the service could become centred around home visits, telephone calls or online support – depriving them of a place to meet people and make friends.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has asked the council to clear up the future of Moving On.

A statement from an adult social care boss reiterates the emphasis on making services better and more responsive, but does not categorically rule out the closure of the Hardfield Road centre.

Steve Blezard, the council’s adult care director of operations, said: “To ensure our services continue to be provided to the highest possible standard, we are constantly looking to improve and enhance our offer to local residents. 

“Our proposals are about improvements, not reductions. We are expanding the quality of our services but, to provide further reassurance, we will be carrying out further engagement over the coming weeks. The individual service needs of our residents is always our number one priority.”

The LDRS has also seen an email from a senior adult social care staff member to service user Nancy Pearson.

In response to Nancy’s request for an update and a timeline for reopening, they write: “Apologies for any confusion, but I did not say the centre would be re-opening or carrying on as normal, but that this consultation is about prevention services as a whole, not just Moving On.”

They add that the proposals ‘do not include any closures or savings, (but) may change the way in which we deliver preventative services overall to be boroughwide’.

Nancy lost the sight in her right eye after an operation and had to give up her nursing career.

The mum-of-three, who also has asthma and a heart condition, admits she found herself in ‘a very dark place’ before being referred to Moving On around three years ago.

“They have been really, really good to me at Moving On, I don’t think I would be where I am today if not for them. I was in a rut. As you can imagine, after losing your career you get really depressed.”

It has given Nancy, from Heywood, the chance to meet new friends and begin socialising again – enjoying days at the races and trips to Southport and The Printworks.

She also developed a close relationship with the staff, whose help – from filling in PIP assessment forms to emotional support – has been invaluable.

“It’s a great bond we all have, it takes years to trust someone – to be able to tell them the ins and outs of your life – it’s a valuable place for people to go to,” said Nancy, who has become a volunteer at the centre.

She added: “It’s like a great big family, it’s lovely, we all talk to each other and tell each other things. On birthdays we put money together and have a party kind of thing. It’s really nice, like a little community, I don’t want that to end.”

Without access to the centre and its staff, some service users have begun to struggle – including Nancy.

And the 50-year-old says it’s ‘essential and vital’ the centre reopens – and soon.

“It’s the only place some people get out to and see people,” she said.

“Some don’t have a husband or any family. I’m 50, some are 60 or 65 and don’t have that other person to speak to at night – plus they get a hot meal, probably the only place they do.

“They are desperate to get back to the centre, because of Covid they have all been isolating and are not feeling supported at all. They feel safe at this place, if it closes it’s going to have a huge impact on them.”

 

 

Another service user calling for the centre to reopen as soon as possible is Joanne Granger, from Rochdale.

She had worked as a senior support worker herself for 18 years before suffering a stroke in January 2017. 

Like Nancy, she has been going to Moving On for about three years.

“As you can imagine, it took me a long time to get the confidence to start going to the centre, because I had gone from caring for people with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour to being the one needing help,” she said.

Since her stroke Joanne has been unable to feel her left side and is awaiting an operation on her left arm, which is causing her a great deal of pain.

The practical and emotional support offered by Moving On has played a crucial role in improving her quality of life.

“Without the centre I don’t think I could have progressed as far as I have,” she said.

“I still don’t go out on my own, I still can’t walk properly. As an individual I feel quite vulnerable, I don’t use public transport, I don’t go anywhere apart from the centre – it’s like a lifeline for me.”

As in Nancy’s case, the social aspect of the centre has been invaluable for Joanne.

“You need that social interaction. I need my mind to be stimulated with some normal face-to-face conversation,” she said.

“There are people there I have become really close to. As sad as it sounds, when something like that happens (a stroke) your friends disappear.

“To me, it’s somewhere I can go and be me for the day. That sounds really sad, but it’s everything to me, to think we will never go back is heartbreaking.

“That’s my reason to go on. I have no other reason to sit in my flat day after day like I have for the last six months. You can’t make friends over the telephone and internet.”

Rochdale Council has told service users there is no update on the situation at this time but once there is it will shared with ‘all affected parties’.

Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporter