Two day centres to close but two survive cutbacks

Relatives and carers of adults with learning disabilities who use Linden Court have campaigned to save it from closure

Two day centres offering specialist care to the elderly and adults with learning disabilities are to close.

Despite public opposition, Linden Court in Eastbourne and the Phoenix Centre in Lewes will be shut as East Sussex County Council tries to save £1m from its adult social care budget, the council's cabinet has decided.

Milton Grange Day Centre in Eastbourne has been saved from closure after staff there put forward an alternative plan to run it, and Hookstead in Crowborough will remain open with reduced capacity and hours.

The council says it is in the "worst financial situation ever" and "difficult decisions" are necessary to balance the 2025/26 budget which was agreed earlier this month.

Sophie Ticehurst, whose brother Jack attends Linden Court, has led the campaign to save the centre from closure

Families of adults with severe learning disabilities who use Linden Court, a specialist day centre for adults with learning disabilities in Eastbourne, had written personal letters to council cabinet members asking them to reconsider.

Sophie Ticehurst, whose brother Jack has autism and attends the centre, said before the meeting on Monday evening: "We are praying one of them may have some compassion and discuss it further."

The 44 people who use Linden Court will now be offered alternative care at Beeching Park in Bexhill, another independent service, or a new satellite service being set up in Eastbourne, for two days a week.

Hookstead day centre for people with learning disabilities in Crowborough will remain open but its capacity will be reduced by 25%. Session hours there and at St Nicholas day centre in Lewes will be reduced.

Milton Grange in Eastbourne will remain open but reduce its day service for older people with complex mental health and physical needs to five days a week rather than six.

The Phoenix Centre in Lewes will close, with users now offered services at Milton Grange instead.

Other planned cuts reduced

The Steps to Work programme, helping adults with a learning disability or autistic people to find and retain employment will close but be replaced by four job coaches.

Other outreach and supported accommodation services were also reduced.

The housing-related floating support service to prevent homelessness saw its budget reduced from £4.3m to £500,000.

Council leaders said households at risk of homelessness with children, or adults with care needs would be prioritised.

The service helped almost 5,500 people in 2023 and attracted 1,425 responses to the public consultation, the vast majority of which were against the cuts.

Council papers suggest reducing the service could incur of cost of £9.9m to borough and district councils already struggling with homelessness pressures.

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