Meeting over personal budgets
People affected by day care centre closures in West Berkshire are invited to a meeting tomorrow (Wednesday)
THOSE affected by day centre closures in West Berkshire will be able to attend a special meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) to learn about the district council's introduction of personal budgets, for people accessing care, support and day services.
In November, the council announced Hillcroft House for people with mental health difficulties in Thatcham, Downlands Day Centre for Older People, in Compton, Windmill Court Day Centre for Older People, in Mortimer, Shaw Day Centre for older people, in Newbury, and the Ormonde centre for people with physical disabilities in Newbury were to be axed this summer.
The ageing population of West Berkshire was blamed for the soaring cost of social care, which prompted the council to completely change the way it dealt with vulnerable people, introducing personal budgets to enable those in need to pay for their own care.
The West Berkshire Independent Living Network (WBILN), which has been formed to give disabled people and their carers a united voice in how the services they rely on are run, is holding a members open meeting at the Royal British Legion in Pelican Lane, Newbury, tomorrow (Wednesday) from 1pm to 3pm.
The meeting will focus on the introduction of personal budgets and the chairman of the WBILN's management group, Mick Hutchins, said he was especially interested in hearing of people's experiences who have been recently re-assessed for a personal budget in light of the council spending cuts.
Representatives of West Berkshire Council will be attending the meeting to listen to people's experiences and anyone who is disabled, cares for a person who is disabled or has an interest in the issues surrounding disability is welcomed to attend.
A free finger buffet and refreshments will be available from 12.45pm onwards.
For further details, contact WBILN development worker, Sharon Jones on 07905 521452 or via email at: sharon@wbiln.com or Mr Hutchins on 01635 31912 or via email at: mick.hutchins@wbda.org
