Specialist day care closure 'devastating' for users

Headway Northampton founder Margot Basketfield said it could not afford to continue its service

People living with brain injuries said the closure of a "lifeline" specialist day care centre was "devastating".

Volunteers at Headway Northampton, which has been in operation since 1982, said it was no longer financially viable due to the cost of living and Covid pandemic.

Instead it planned to offer phone support for its clients, for as long as funds allowed.

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) said it was working to "reduce the impact" on service users.

Headway Northampton started off as a coffee morning for families to talk about the impact of brain injury and later expanded into a day centre service providing respite care.

It will cease to operate activities from its base on Kings Heath Industrial Estate from 12 July.

Its founder, Margot Basketfield, said: "We can't raise enough money. People try, but we are looking at having another unit.

"This one now is too expensive, everywhere you look the rent is too high."

She added: "We do get some small grants, but the cost of everything has gone completely off the Richter scale."

Ms Basketfield said the Headway Northampton was losing "about £5,000 a month" and that its rent and insurance costs were "sky high".

In a statement, the council said it was "aware of Headway's decision to close the service".

But it said "this has not been informed by any action of WNC and has been taken by the service provider.

"The council has worked with Headway to seek alternatives to closure, and is now working with service users who are affected by this to reduce the impact this has on them and seek alternative support arrangements which meet their needs.

North Northamptonshire Council was also approached for comment.

David Nicholls (right) said Headway Northampton was like "second family" for his wife Jacquie

David Nicholls, whose wife Jacquie uses Headway's service two times per week said it was "like a second family for her."

He said: "On the days when it's on, she wakes up early to come here. She so looks forward to being here, it's where she can come and express herself and meet people.

"She wants to be around people like her and to be able to express herself, it's part of her wellbeing. We need to find some sort of funding [to keep it going]."

Service user Megan Elliott said coming to Headway Northampton was part of her routine

Service user Megan Elliott echoed the same sentiment.

"It allows me to get out of the house for a whole day," she said.

"You can see your friends and do nice activities, otherwise you will be at home with the TV and be by yourself."

Ms Elliott, who suffered a brain injury in a rock climbing accident 14 years ago said she looked forward to activities Headway Northampton offered such as art.

She said: "It makes you feel because you achieve making something and it makes you feel proud."