Carers service closed in Newbury

As of October 1, the Princess Royal Trust Carers Service Berkshire has a different structure as a result of a 20 per cent cut in funding.
Two full-time posts, including one belonging to former carers services manager Christine Eeley have been made redundant and the office the pair used in Broadway House in Newbury has been closed.
One part-time out-reach advisor has taken their place, with full time members of staff based at St Giles House, Reading.
Chief executive for the trust, Elspeth McPherson, stressed the local community will not be affected by the staff losses.
“The closure of one drop-in centre won’t change our delivery and locality,” she said. “We have undertaken a restructuring process as any company would do at the moment.”
She added: “We are providing services to very vulnerable people and we want to make this service as good as we can.
“We want to really reach the people that haven’t yet come forward as carers.”
However, Mrs Eeley, who worked for the charity for 10 years, doesn’t share this enthusiasm, concerned that the 1,100 carers in West Berkshire that currently use the service will suffer because of the staff changes.
“They have lost two full time workers and there’s no base in Newbury,” she said.
“It’s a lot of work, it kept two full-time people occupied.”
She added fears that the type of service provided would also suffer.
“A few carers might come along and say ‘I really need some help with my benefits’.
"In the past we have gone out to their house and sat down with them. Now they will be automatically signposted on,” she said.

Have you been affected? Contact Ellis Barker on (01635) 886639 or email ellis.barker@newburynews.co.uk