RESCUE PLAN FOR CRISIS CARE HOME

LEEDS COMMUNITY members turned out in force for an open meeting on Sunday to discuss the future of troubled local care home Donisthorpe Hall.

Donisthorpe has received a succession of critical reports from the Care Quality Commission and the 230 people at the meeting heard of ongoing rescue efforts, including a planned link up with Leeds Jewish Welfare Board. Speakers stressed the need for continuing financial support.

Trustee Ashley Cohen described the meeting as “hugely positive. The trustees shared with the community the hard work done to date in turning around Donisthorpe Hall’s fortunes from a care perspective.”

They had also outlined how the community could help ensure Donisthorpe provided “a safe and enjoyable experience, not just for its current residents but also for the next generation”.

Many people had offered to help establish a new fundraising committee — or to volunteer at the home.

“This is a community asset and we are determined to make sure we provide care and support for our most vulnerable for generations to come.” The trustees were grateful for the “incredible generosity” of a handful of families during a period of dramatic reduction in resident numbers, which had impacted on income.

The Manny Cussins Trust has committed to invest heavily in the home’s dementia units.

Andrew Cussins explained that the trust was set up in the early 1960s to support charities working in Yorkshire and Donisthorpe had once been a major beneficiary.

“It is with real joy that the trust and Donisthorpe Hall have now agreed to work together again to create a dementia wing of true world class. It will not only be the envy of Yorkshire but the whole of the north of England.

Welfare board chair Russell Manning said LJWB and Donisthorpe had been working hard behind the scenes over the past nine months to assess the future care landscape for the Jewish population.

“I was delighted to be part of the community meeting and to be able to talk about our plans to work together with Donisthorpe Hall and the Leeds Jewish Housing Association to ensure the long-term sustainability of care and housing in our community.”

Donisthorpe currently houses 43 council-funded residents, 22 privatelyfunded residents and seven people for respite care.

Leeds Jewish Welfare Board chairman Russell Manning addressing Sunday’s meeting, at which he explained that local welfare organisations were working together to achieve “sustainability of care” in the city