Campaign mounts to save ‘lifeline’ adult care centres

Linden Court is one of four centres earmarked for closure

Families of elderly and disabled adults who attend day centres in East Sussex threatened by closure have described the service as a “lifeline”.

Around 230 people currently use the Phoenix Centre, Lewes, and Milton Grange, Eastbourne, which care for the elderly, and Linden Court, in Eastbourne, and Hookstead, in Crowborough, which care for disabled adults.

East Sussex County Council is predicting a budget shortfall of £71.8m over the next two years, according to figures obtained by the BBC.

A petition has been set up against the closures, while a public consultation into the proposals and other cuts to services are open until 28 November.

Sophie, with her brother, Jack, says Linden Court has been a 'lifeline' for him

All four centres are earmarked for closure, with alternative services offered elsewhere as the county council tries to save £1m.

The proposals at Milton Grange relate to the day centre service and do not affect the intermediate care bed provision at the centre.

Jack, 24, who has autism and is non-verbal, has been attending Linden Court for the past 18 months.

His sister, Sophie, who has started the petition against the closure, said: “Having it in our lives is an absolute lifeline.

“Jack has insomnia, so my mum really relies on that day centre for respite to just carry on and continue into the next day and the night ahead.”

'Rebuild the sector'

A public consultation meeting was held at the Phoenix Centre on Saturday and another is taking place at Linden Court on Monday.

Council leader Keith Glazier told the BBC that providing care incurred “extreme costs”.

The council spends 48% of its budget on adult social care.

Local Government Minister Jim McMahon said Labour had “inherited a crisis in local government” and was committed to fixing the foundation, but that would take time.

He added: “These deep-rooted problems won’t be fixed overnight, but we are committed to fixing the foundations and reforming and rebuilding the sector.

“We will work hand-in-hand with councils by moving towards multi-year funding settlements to provide long-term stability, ending competitive bidding processes, and ensure the sector gets back on its feet.”