MORE than 1,500 people have rallied together to sign a petition to prevent the shutting of a vital community respite centre in Southampton.

The Kentish Road respite centre in Shirley has been earmarked for closure by Southampton City Council (SCC) in order to save £300,000 a year.

The centre, which provides care to those with disabilities and illness to give families a break from care, was originally set for closure in January 2015 as part of the council’s bid to offer alternative methods of care and support to vulnerable adults and provide alternative methods of care.

But, two parents, Lisa Stead and Amanda Guest, started the petition, which will run until August 21, because they claim they could end up as “respite refugees” if the centre closes.

Among the alternative strategies the council suggested include the shared lives scheme, that will see families across the city offer accommodation for children affected by learning disabilities and direct payments which will give parents affected by the closure a lump sum of money to spend on respite care at home.

Lisa, whose son uses the centre several times a month to help with his behavioural problems, said the petition was vital to get their message heard, describing the council’s actions as “disgusting”.

She said: “I hope that with this petition the council overturn their decision, the alternative methods that are being suggested by the council are simply not suitable.

“SCC shouldn’t even be considering this closure just to save £300,000, it’s a vital hub that provides vital care for adults with learning disabilities.

“My 21-year-old spends seven nights at the centre a month giving me some time off. This cannot be taken away.

“The whole city of Southampton have got behind us now, surely they will listen?”

Amanda, pictured, who cares for her daughter Victoria, who suffers from learning difficulties, said: “We are determined to fight this until the very end and this petition is the next step.

“My daughter has been using the centre for more than five years and I’m shocked that suddenly they want to close it this year. But the power of the people will force the council to rethink their priorities.

“When it comes to safeguarding people’s lives, it should be a priority. We don’t want to end up being respite refugees and have nowhere for our kids to go.”

However, SCC is defending the cuts, saying alternative methods of care had been identified following a 12-week consultation period in 2015.

Despite support from the petition, the authority insisted that closure was the top priority because they have offered sustainable alternatives.

A statement added: “The reason for its closure is that alternative ways of providing care and support, including through the use of direct payments, shared lives and short breaks, leads to a more personalised approach, better outcomes and is more cost-effective.

“The council gave a commitment that six months’ notice of its closure would be given.”

Eleven jobs are at risk at the centre, which sees more than 30 clients a month, as a result of the closure, which is expected to be in October of this year.

The group will discuss their petition with civic chiefs at a SCC meeting today when the centre’s fete will be debated.