Closure-threatened day care centre gets reprieve

Norma Graham is on the left. She is an elderly lady wearing a blue jumper and has glasses and grey hair. Carole Parkin is next to her, she is younger and has brown hair and glasses Image source, Carole Parkin
Image caption,

Carole Parkin (right) said her mum Norma Graham loved attending the day centre

  • Published

A charity running a service for elderly people which is threatened with closure hopes it can be saved.

The trustees of Bell View Day Care Centre in Belford, Northumberland, announced on 12 December its day care service would cease at the end of January because it was "financially unsustainable".

They said there had been a decline in referrals from Northumberland County Council and from private individuals, while costs had increased.

Trustee and Conservative councillor Guy Renner-Thompson said: "There has been such an outpouring of love and support we have suspended the closure and are looking at a number of different options."

He added referrals had fallen because many people preferred to be looked after in their own homes.

Image source, Google
Image caption,

Bell View is an independent charity offering a range of services

Bell View Day Care Centre is a purpose-built facility in Belford where elderly and vulnerable people in north Northumberland can be looked after on weekdays.

It does pick-ups and drop-offs and provides lunch, giving carers a break and allowing them to continue to work.

Carole Parkin from Belford, one of those opposing closure, said: "I want to see other families get the wonderful support we did.

"I'm a nurse and I was working, and the days mum was there I didn't have to worry.

"People could have a bath and mum would have a good soak there.

"We have a big family but for some older people it is the only social interaction they get all week."

Image caption,

Trustee Guy Renner-Thompson said the charity was hopeful the day care centre could be saved

Renner-Thompson said: "Referrals have fallen because many elderly people prefer to be looked after in their own homes and that is often a cheaper option.

"But we recognise this is a service which is really valued and a couple of former trustees have agreed to become involved again.

"There are no guarantees, but we are really hopeful that we can find a way to keep the centre open going forward and it will definitely not close at the end of January."

A spokesperson for Northumberland County Council said: "Bell View has agreed to extend the service beyond 31 January.

"Bell View and the council are looking at how the service can best be delivered for clients and carers. This includes looking at demand for the service."

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