My son’s lifeline has been taken away... it’s cruel and devastating
Mum’s fears over day centre axe
A worried mum says devastating disability centre closures have made her son a “paranoid recluse.”
Anne Johnston 77, says Alan, is obsessed with what’s going to happen to him after finding out West Lane Gardens, the day centre he has visited for the last 10 years, is to soon close its doors.
Both the Johnstone service and Whitehaugh, in Paisley, are under threat after charity Capability Scotland announced it could no longer afford to keep them running.
The announcement has rocked 50-yearold Alan, who has Asperger’s syndrome and learning difficulties.
His mum says he is having to go on stronger medication after stress and anxiety associated with the change to his daily routine has magnified his situation.
Anne, who lives in Houston with her husband, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, said: “My son is so upset.
“He is going from an outgoing man, taking part in all the activities and outings, to a paranoid recluse.
“The staff and users at West Lane Gardens are like his family. It’s like a wee bolthole for him, he loves it, and now it’s being whipped away.
“The most vulnerable members of society are being targeted. It seems so cruel that they are being deprived of their lifeline.”
Alan’s condition means he struggles to deal with changes in his life.
Anne says she has seen a massive decline in her son’s health and happiness since he found out about the possible closure of West Lane Gardens.
She explained: “He’s lost two stone and his personal hygiene and self care has deteriorated as a result of paranoia.
“He’s started refusing to leave his home now and is becoming more withdrawn.
“I’m not saying it’s all because of the closures, but that has definitely played a massive part in making him worse.”
Carers from the Richmond Fellowship visit Alan at his home for a total of nine hours a week, but psychiatrists have recently advised Anne that her son requires more support.
“We currently pay £55 a week for care but the council wrote to us recently to say it will be increasing to £69,” she said.
“It’s like a double dunt, I’m being advised that my son requires further care, yet services are being stripped back and prices bumped up.”
The Whitehaugh and West Lane Gardens centres offer support to adults and young people with learning difficulties and are attended by dozens of families.
“I’m in my late 70s and I’m now concerned about my son’s future and how he is going to be,” Anne added.
“All personal services are being squeezed out. Soon the only respite for vulnerable people will be being taken to Braehead for a wander.
“Our voices have been heard but completely overlooked.”
Council chiefs have vowed to do what they can to ensure the needs of users continue to be met past the suspected close date of the services in October.
However, they are yet to announce plans or provide any answers on how they plan to do so.
At a meeting this week on the future of the disability centres, Councillor Jacqueline Cameron, chairperson of the Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Integrated Joint Board, said: “The needs of those who currently use these services are the priority and I have met and spoken with many of those affected by the decision by Capability Scotland to withdraw the services at West Lane Gardens and Whitehaugh.
“Throughout this situation, our focus has been on the needs of people going forward and ensuring we listen to users of these services and their carers.
“We will continue to work with those affected to make sure we have an up to date assessment of their needs and ensure that we provide services that meet those needs and we will continue to work with the Health and Social Care Integrated Joint Board and service providers to deliver this.”