Day centre facing the axe

8:57am Thursday 8th May 2008

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By Simon Carr »

A VITAL day centre used by disabled people across Southamp-ton is today facing the axe, Daily Echo can reveal.

As many as 120 disabled people, their carers and their relatives have vowed to fight to save the threatened Sembal House resource centre, pictured above.

Around 50 users a day pass through its doors for advice, support and therapeutic activities. Those who use the centre's vast facilities fear the council may close the facilities in an attempt to save money.

One of the many groups who use the centre is Southampton and District Spina Bifida Association.

Chairman Stanley Fitzgerald, said: "Sembal House is an absolute lifeline to those with physical disabilities and their carers. It will be a disgrace if this vital centre is shut and a great loss to Southampton.

"This decision is all about money and the valuable land the building is on."

Solent Early Onset Support for Parkinson's Disease also uses the centre, in Handel Terrace, Polygon.

Group leader Mary Shorter said: "If Sembal House is closed it will have a very bad affect on the disabled community. I am absolutely horrified that this is even being considered. People are saying what are we going to do if Sembal House closes.

"I think this has to do with where the building is and what they would like to do with the land."

Head of health and community care Jane Brentor said the council will be looking at the future of Sembal House as part of the modernisation' of the care service but that no decision would be made for at least a year.

She said: "Consultation, good practice and value for money will be the bedrock of this decision. Our aim is to create a service that is more responsive to customers' and carers' needs, not to make profit."

She went on to say that the council is looking at the possibility of giving out individual budgets, so disabled people can decide how they receive care and support.

The council is setting up a steering committee to decide on the future of the centre.

The committee, which will include members of stakeholder groups representing carers, staff and clients, will be having its first meeting in the next few weeks.