A HAMPSHIRE woman who has cerebral palsy has joined the fight to save an under threat respite centre.

Hannah Buchanan is among those protesting at the potential closure of the John Darling Mall home in Boyatt Wood.

As previously reported, concerned members of the community and users of the centre gathered to voice their concerns at plans to close the 30-year-old facility.

They staged a demonstration against the move by Hampshire County Council which has launched a consultation on a proposal to close the respite centre in a bid to make savings and cope with increasing demands for social care.

Among those demonstrating was Hannah.

The Thirty-four-year-old Hannah, of Bishopstoke, has cerebral palsy and is quadriplegic – has limited movement of her arms and legs and uses a wheelchair.

She used the respite service 10 years ago when she came back from university and wanted to maintain her independence while she waited waiting for accommodation. She was there four years.

“I do believe it’s a vital service and it’s not just a case of providing a service, it’s a question of providing the right service with the right expertise,” she said. “People are just very nervous, very anxious and very worried.

“There’s a lot of strength of feeling on this.”

Rev Iain McFarlane, priest in charge at nearby St Peter’s Church, is leading the Save JDM campaign and members of the congregation are involved as some have used the service.

He has gathered a petition which already has nearly 500 signatures.

John Darling Mall, in Selborne Drive, provides care for people with physical disabilities, with six permanent warden-controlled flats alongside a respite care service giving carers time away from their full-time responsibilities, caring for 67 people last year.

The council is aiming to save £96m in 2015-16 to cope with reduced government funding and increased demand for statutory social care.

Rev McFarlane accused the council of deliberately “mothballing” the service by signposting people to other options and not investing in it.

Responding to the protest about the future and possible closure of John Darling Mall in Eastleigh, Cllr Liz Fairhurst, pictured, said: “No decisions have been made about the future of John Darling Mall and the respite services it provides by the centre.

"A public consultation opened on July 13 and at the same time we met with tenants and staff and we wrote to other service users. I urge people to make their views known by responding to the consultation survey before this closes on September 4.”

The consultation closes on September 4 before a final decision will be made in November.

To participate, visit hants.gov.uk/johndarlingmall-consultation.

A link to the petition is on the ‘Save John Darling Mall PD Respite Service/Accommodation’ Facebook page.