ALEX SCAPENS

CAMPAIGNERS say mental health services in Stockport are ‘at breaking point’ with a voluntary community centre set to close.

The Sir Joseph Whitworth Centre, in central Stockport, will shut at the end of July as the council says it is too expensive to run.

It offers counselling services, social groups and activities for people with mental health problems and their carers.

But with these set to go and other cuts to the community mental health offering from Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, campaigners say ‘big problems’ are ahead.

Sandy Broadhurst, from Stockport Against Mental Health Cuts, said: “It’s a hugely important centre that does great work.

“Budget cuts mean over a third of community mental health staff are going, there is a cut in funding for groups such as Mind and this centre is closing – a triple blow.

“Stockport does not have a good budget for mental health as it is. It is a downward spiral and enough is enough.

“Potential consequences are massive, we have already seen an increase in the suicide rate and homelessness. Service users are at absolute breaking point.”

The group says Pennine Care – which runs mental health services in Stockport and other areas – plans a substantial budget cut for

The Stockport Against Mental Health Cuts protest community services.

Members will be on Warren Street, in Stockport town centre on July 18 petitioning against the closure of the centre on Chestergate.

There will be a public meeting about mental health service cuts at the town hall on July 23.

Voluntary groups Family Link and Anchorpoint as well as Stroke Association have shut this year. Disability Stockport’s Connect social group is also likely to follow suit.

Stan Boaler, from Pennine Care, said the organisation must save £8m annually for five years.

He added: “Our commitment remains that services continue to be safe, high quality and meet people’s needs. Every service redesign is subject to a quality impact assessment and staff consultation.”

The NHS leases the centre and sublets it to the council. But it is giving up the lease and the council was offered the chance to take it on.

A council spokesman said this was ‘prohibitive due to costs and the commitment to a long lease’.

But help was being given moving groups to alternative premises.