Families disappointed as adult day centres close

Sylfaen Day Centre in Llanidloes is one of the day centres which is set to close

Day centres in parts of Powys will close after the council confirmed plans to reorganise services for adults with additional needs.

Three day centres in Llanidloes, Ystradgynlais and Brecon, which all offer services to adults with disabilities or learning difficulties from 18 will shut.

The centres are described by families as a "necessary resource" that eases the burden on carers.

Powys council said services will be provided in different ways, "either through supported living providers or from other venues".

Taylor Johnson, 20, has been attending Sylfaen Day Centre in Llanidloes for two years.

Her mum Nicola Barrett said "it's important to her".

"They want to make it more community based but there's nowhere for people like Taylor," she said.

"I don't know what the future holds for her really in being able to access the community and seeing her peers.

"She's just going to be plunged back into isolation with me again and that's going to have an effect on her mental health and her understanding of why she's stuck at home with me."

The council is finding new ways of providing services, which are currently provided through a mixture of statutory services and support from the third sector, with the aim of saving £277,000.

Taylor Johnson, 20, has been attending Sylfaen Day Centre in Llanidloes for two years

The day centres are a paid service, with families describing low numbers as an essential part of the one-to-one care that many users need.

Graham Davies' brother Gareth, 36, also attends the day centre and describes the decision as "morally wrong".

"Gareth has autism and any routine change really disrupts him. Mental health is supposed to be protected and Gareth looks forward to it," he said.

"He goes there to see his friends - it's the highlight of his week."

Powys council said that the reorganisation of services will see the creation of five hubs in Welshpool, Newtown, Llandrindod Wells, Brecon and Ystradgynlais - with an outreach service provided from the hubs to their surrounding localities.

Council Cabinet Member for a Caring Powys Sian Cox said the new model "will deliver increased capacity in key areas and provide a more flexible and sustainable approach to supporting people to meet the outcomes that are important to them".