Fears over potential closure of 'sanctuary' centre

Pat Bailey, 74, was diagnosed with vascular dementia and is cared for by her husband David

A family has raised fears over the potential closure of a Derbyshire day centre which has become "a sanctuary".

Pat Bailey, 74, of New Mills, has dementia and has attended the Jubilee Centre in the town for the last three months.

It is one of 11 care homes and eight day centres across the county which could be shut by the county council in a bid to save money.

Mrs Bailey's daughter, Victoria Bailey, said: "If that lifeline that we were given disappears, I honestly can’t see my mum living very long."

Mrs Bailey was diagnosed with the condition in 2016 and attends the centre in her home town to do a range of activities like arts and crafts, bingo and gardening.

“When you go to pick her up she’s smiling and happy. She can’t tell you what she’s done whilst she’s there- but she has real happiness," Victoria added.

“It’s provided a sanctuary where she can just be who she is with no judgment."

David and Pat have been married for 55 years

Mrs Bailey's husband, David, said: “Even after all this time she doesn’t actually know who I am. I’ve been her husband for 55 years, but she doesn’t recognise me."

On the threat of the centre closing, Mr Bailey added: "There will be nothing. We’re in the corner of Derbyshire. If it closed it would be absolutely devastating.

“I don’t know where we would go. In the months that she’s been going there now. Since we decided she needed to go there so I could have a break in the day - it’s been brilliant.

“Until you get something that happens to you like this, you don’t realise how much you need that support.”

The Jubilee Centre in New Mills has provided day services for people with higher moderate to substantial needs since 1994

The closure plan was raised by High Peak MP Jon Pearce at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday.

In response, the prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was "shocked" to hear about cut backs in adult social care in Derbyshire and said his government would provide "more stability" for councils through longer-term funding settlements.

Derbyshire County Council is now "considering feedback" received and expects to make a decision at a cabinet meeting in November.

'Financial pressures'

A spokesperson for Derbyshire County Council said: "We understand this is an unsettling time for people who use our day centres and residents of our care homes and their families, and we’d like to reassure them that no decisions have yet been taken.

"Like councils up and down the country we’re facing increasing financial pressures like never before including a rise in demand for social care for adults and children.

"This means we have to consider how we can continue to deliver the services we’re required to while ensuring they are sustainable.

"We continue to work with people, their families and carers, to ensure they are supported."