Change language
Actions
Displays
Remove from selection
Add to selection
Abstract

A Pensioner came close to tears after pleading with councillors to reverse a £26,000 cut to a service for dementia sufferers.

Barbara Sheridan said the cash, which pays for a minibus to get vulnerable people to and from St Luke’s Community Centre, was “critical and necessary”. A petition signed by 1,000 people was handed to councillors.

ADVERTISING

inRead invented by Teads

The service supports 11 dementia sufferers, but also picks up other visitors to the centre who struggle with mobility.

Ms Sheridan, a regular at St Luke’s, said: “If it is closed 11 people will not be able to leave their flats and their conditions will inevitably get worse.” Nine of the 11 live alone.

“Why don’t you all come down to St Luke’s and meet these people?” she begged councillors.

St Luke’s chief executive Michael Ryan said: “Even if one of the 11 has to go into residential care, it will cost more than £26,000 as a result.”

Ms Sheridan’s speech drew applause from the council chamber.

Sole opposition councillor Caroline Russell said the speech was “devastating”, but told the Tribune: “I was surprised to see Labour councillors applauding given that I have received many messages from people saying they had struggled to get ward councillors to engage with them on this issue. It is quite ironic.”

Islington Council’s health and wellbeing chief, Janet Burgess, said the authority was “struggling for money” and had to spend cash “where it will have the most impact”.

She pointed out that the council already funds other services at St Luke’s to the tune of £60,000.

“We support people who suffer dementia, support their families and we continue to support service users,” Cllr Burgess added. “St Luke’s does have a lot of money – enormous reserves. The council doesn’t.”

The deputy council leader said the council’s own transport service could get people to and from the centre.

Cllr Russell added: “I hope a practical solution can be found. It makes no sense to cut a service that does so much to maintain the independence of some of our most vulnerable residents.”