Petition launched to save Willows Edge Care Home in Newbury

A petition has been launched to save a West Berkshire care home from council cuts.

Nearly a thousand people have already signed to keep Willows Edge Care Home open.

The council has announced the home will either be closed or passed on to a different provider to make £240k of budget cuts.

The move is among a raft of cuts aimed at reducing the budget shortfall.

The petition was launchd by Lisa Williams, who said: "Willows Edge is not just a facility; it is a thriving, compassionate community that houses someone’s mother, father, wife, husband, son, daughter, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

"Many of the residents are living with dementia, facing the challenges of a diagnosis that can be inherently frightening. The decision to transition from their family homes to Willows Edge was a significant and emotional step towards providing them with a safe haven and a nurturing environment.

"However, they now find themselves in the face of a decision that threatens to uproot the cherished residents once again.

"Moving them from the familiar embrace of Willows Edge would undeniably have a profoundly negative impact on their well-being, exacerbating the challenges they already confront.

"Again, Willows Edge Care Home is more than just a facility; it is a home filled with love, warmth, and an incredible staff unit dedicated to the well-being of the residents. As part of the Newbury community we firmly believe that Willows Edge are an indispensable asset to our community, contributing to its fabric and supporting the diverse needs of our fellow citizens."

You can find the petition here – https://tinyurl.com/mwxf8uee

The home, on Hutton Close in Newbury, can accommodate 38 people.

Messages of support are being posted on the petition site.

"I used to manage Willows Edge and through Covid the dedicated staff made sure that the residents were looked after and cared for with the upmost compassion, it’s not the best building but it is home for these people and the staff and residents have a real community," wrote Tracey McGuire Brown.