Sutherland councillor insists Beachview centre will remain open
A Sutherland councillor has moved to calm fears over the future of Beachview, the day care centre in Brora for adults with learning disabilities.
East Sutherland and Edderton ward councillor Deirdre Mackay, pictured above, this week claimed categorically that the unit is not in line for closure, but admits its use could change.
Users of the service and their families have voiced fears over the past few weeks that Beachview, which caters for 14 adults with special needs although it can accommodate 20, is being run down.
Their suspicions have been roused by two factors – the introduction of the new social work Self Directed Support (SDS) system, and changes to the transport arrangements for clients of Beachview and the Isobel Rhind Centre in Invergordon.
Under SDS service users are given money they can use in various ways, such as paying for individual care, further education or costs associated with employment.
Those who opt for SDS would most likely not require a place in day care, leading to reduced numbers at Beachview.
Meanwhile, service users have also been informed that the mini-bus, which presently provides door-to-door transport to Beachview and to the Isobel Rhind Centre in Invergordon, is to stop.
Gordon Lindsay, the uncle and carer of Iain McCorquodale (26) who attends both Beachview and the Isobel Rhind Centre in Invergordon, summed up feelings when he told The Northern Times recently: “No transport, no clients, no Beachview.”
But in her column in this week’s Northern Times (see Page5) Deirdre Mackay is adamant that the centre will survive – although she adds the rider that it may not be in its present form.
She states: “Beachview is not closing. There is a concern that closure may be the logical result of dwindling numbers.
“It is, however, a new building with a capacity to do more and what happens inside it, has the potential to change.”
Mrs Mackay points out that Highland Council is seeking, under SDS, to increase the range of options for people with learning disabilities.
She writes: “Throughout Highland and in Orkney there are excellent projects underway.”
But she admits that setting up similar projects in East Sutherland is difficult because of the lack of opportunities.
She also insists that the claim that the minibus service to Beachview and the Isobel Rhind Centre, is to be axed in mid-August, is wrong.
She claims that she has been given clear assurances that there will be no change to existing services.
However, service users and carers point out that they have received a letter from Isa Rees, the acting day care centre manager at the Isobel Rhind Centre, saying the present mini-bus service will stop on 26th August.
They say they have been told that the same service to Beachview will also cease.
Anyone interested in the issue is invited to attend the East Sutherland and Edderton Ward Forum on 9th August in Brora Scout and Guide Hall when the subject on the agenda is Self Directed Support.
Area social work manager Bob Silverwood will be present at the forum.
A Sutherland councillor has moved to calm fears over the future of Beachview, the day care centre in Brora for adults with learning disabilities.
East Sutherland and Edderton ward councillor Deirdre Mackay, pictured above, this week claimed categorically that the unit is not in line for closure, but admits its use could change.
Users of the service and their families have voiced fears over the past few weeks that Beachview, which caters for 14 adults with special needs although it can accommodate 20, is being run down.
Their suspicions have been roused by two factors – the introduction of the new social work Self Directed Support (SDS) system, and changes to the transport arrangements for clients of Beachview and the Isobel Rhind Centre in Invergordon.
Under SDS service users are given money they can use in various ways, such as paying for individual care, further education or costs associated with employment.
Those who opt for SDS would most likely not require a place in day care, leading to reduced numbers at Beachview.
Meanwhile, service users have also been informed that the mini-bus, which presently provides door-to-door transport to Beachview and to the Isobel Rhind Centre in Invergordon, is to stop.
Gordon Lindsay, the uncle and carer of Iain McCorquodale (26) who attends both Beachview and the Isobel Rhind Centre in Invergordon, summed up feelings when he told The Northern Times recently: “No transport, no clients, no Beachview.”
But in her column in this week’s Northern Times (see Page5) Deirdre Mackay is adamant that the centre will survive – although she adds the rider that it may not be in its present form.
She states: “Beachview is not closing. There is a concern that closure may be the logical result of dwindling numbers.
“It is, however, a new building with a capacity to do more and what happens inside it, has the potential to change.”
Mrs Mackay points out that Highland Council is seeking, under SDS, to increase the range of options for people with learning disabilities.
She writes: “Throughout Highland and in Orkney there are excellent projects underway.”
But she admits that setting up similar projects in East Sutherland is difficult because of the lack of opportunities.
She also insists that the claim that the minibus service to Beachview and the Isobel Rhind Centre, is to be axed in mid-August, is wrong.
She claims that she has been given clear assurances that there will be no change to existing services.
However, service users and carers point out that they have received a letter from Isa Rees, the acting day care centre manager at the Isobel Rhind Centre, saying the present mini-bus service will stop on 26th August.
They say they have been told that the same service to Beachview will also cease.
Anyone interested in the issue is invited to attend the East Sutherland and Edderton Ward Forum on 9th August in Brora Scout and Guide Hall when the subject on the agenda is Self Directed Support.
Area social work manager Bob Silverwood will be present at the forum.
