Parents in plea to keep respite centre open
PARENTS opposing the closure of a respite centre for children with complex disabilities have made an impassioned plea for the service to be saved.
More than 1000 families have signed an online petition after being told that the Chavey Down respite centre in Newton Mearns is to close at the end of November.
The service, which is run by Quarriers, provides short breaks for children and young people with complex disabilities. A homebased service is also being axed.
Both the charity and Renfrewshire Council say there has been a drop in demand for the service, linking this to a move towards personalised care packages and an increase in home support.
However families who use Chavey Down say it is “desperately needed” and are critical that little or no consultation took place head of the decision.
Dozens of parents who use the service have posted messages of support for the service on the Change. Org petition site.
Frank Inglis, from Glasgow, said: “Such scarce resources MUST be retained. This is not a run of the mill service, this is a specialised resource. We need more of the same, not less.”
Stephanie Fairfield, from Barrhead, said: “Chavey is a wonderful place and helped my family so much by providing respite for my younger sister.
“We are so thankful for everything Chavey has allowed us to do as a family, which we could never had done without their services. My heart goes out to all the families that will not get the small breaks that they deserve.”
Adrian Boyce, whose 17-year-old daughter Cara has used the service for 11 years, said: “What is fair about closing down a major respite facility with absolutely no consultation with the children and their families who use it, and with what is clearly woefully inadequate notice.”
Margaret Lazell, from Thortonhall, added: “I use building based respite for my son. It’s invaluable for not only giving him a night away from home (most children have sleepovers - disabled children don’t) but for allowing the rest of the family a break from 24-hour care.”
Judy Hamilton, from East Kilbride, said: “My granddaughter has been accessing this respite centre since the start of the year and it has really made a difference. We are all disgusted the closure has been decided without any discussion or consultation with families.”