petedown

Part of Save No 1 facebook page today - it says it all ! : Although our much loved 1 Ledbury road is closing its doors this coming week, we as a campaign group are not going anywhere! The fight continues and is still very much needed. There are vulnerable families who are still without appropriate respite options. The local authority has a duty of care to meet the needs of disabled young people and their families, we intend to make sure they fulfil their promise. We will remain part of the support network for carers and their families. A huge thank you to everyone who supported our campaign, you helped us raise much needed awareness and have given a voice to young disabled people across Herefordshire. Comments Dinah Jones How are these families going to cope with no respite care?If they are going to transport the children to other places then that is going to incur a cost!! I remember when Ledbury Road first opened I was working at M&S and we raised money to buy items for the children, some of the staff visited.So sad to think the place could close permanently. Save 1 Ledbury Road Respite Campain No 1 is definitely closing actually this Friday is the last day. We do not know how we are going to cope because we are unsure of the new package of respite the LA are going to offer. The new provision is 28.8 miles away from our home so it will be impossible to stay with the same hours that we have been used too . My son took two years before he managed 1 overnight stay , we are terrified that the changes in routine are going to be very detrimental to his wellbeing. I remember no 1 changed his day and he didn't go for 12 weeks after that and the staff had to come to our home and spend time with him and very slowly he was introduced back to no 1 . How on earth transition is going to work to the new provision when it's out of county and so far away . Parents are desperate for an alternative provision to be in county to enable a good and meaningful transition process.

I have been trying to get Jess Norman to get involved even at this late stage - after all he is Patron of the Children at No 1 Charity - but to no avail. Obviously has more important things to do.