Disabled man hits out at changes to social care service
A service for people with acquired brain injuries could now be merged with learning disabilities services after a reshuffle of adult social care by Rochdale Borough Council.
Families have expressed their fears over changes to services for people with acquired brain injuries and disabilities services.
Relatives of users of Alkrington-based drop-in service, Moving On, say that they have been told the services will merge, but the council, while confirming changes would be made, has denied this.
Rochdale Borough Council have said the service will be "delivered differently" but have not yet outlined their exact plans.
A mum whose son has used Alkrington-based drop-in service, Moving On, for 10 years, says a restructure "would not work", and has fears for her son's future if the service is changed.
Moving On helps those with physical or sensory impairments to live a full and active life, and was previously based in Rochdale.
The centre supports people who have an ‘acquired disability’ - whether they have suffered a stroke, have an acquired brain injury or are living with a long-term health condition.
Its doors have remained closed since lockdown was announced in March.
Jason Hudspith, 28, is able to read and write, but has behavioural problems.
Aged 15, he suffered a brain AMV - a tangle of abnormal blood vessels connecting arteries and veins in the brain, which results in the brain being deprived of oxygen.
Jason, a former footballer, collapsed at home just before his final year of his school and was left with brain damage.
Jason said: "The staff that worked with the Moving On service have all been told that they will be offered other positions from the council.
"All these staff members knew all of our needs."
A letter received by another service user, Nancy Pearson, regarding the future of the service said: "Adult Care are in the process of a staff restructure to enable Adult Care to provide a consistent service across the borough."
The news comes after bosses insisted that they were not making cuts, but ensuring specialist support is in place for some of the borough’s most vulnerable residents.
The Rochdale Observer has asked the council to confirm whether its adult social care staff based at the centre have been offered different positions and if Moving On will remain open.
In response, Steve Blezard, the council’s adult care director of operations, said: “Following extensive engagement and consultation, I am pleased to say the Alkrington Day Centre will re-open in the New Year, providing a range of services and opportunities for people of all ages to access.
"We are communicating our plans to service users and, working in partnership with community groups, looking forward to a wider range of services being delivered from the building.”
The council have not yet outlined plans for how the Moving On service will be delivered.
Jason's mum, Erica Hudspith, 50, said: "It was moved from Rochdale to Alkrington which made it more difficult to get to.
"If it shuts down it [would] cost a massive amount of money to have carers in - also, I get respite. It affects the whole family.
"I understand things have to change over the years but it wouldn't work.
"They say they mix acquired injuries with learning difficulties, but some people who go have seizures and the Moving On team were trained in that."
The centre has been closed since the pandemic, but Jason previously attended for two days a week.
Erica added: "It's upsetting for me and heartbreaking for them.
"Jason was in children's services, then he went to adults and there was nothing for him at all.
"He has an acquired brain injury and it's not a learning disability.
"He's being going to Moving On for around 10 years now and the team there are amazing.
"It if weren't for them, I would not still be here today."
Jason lives with his parents Erica and Steven, 55, in Syke, Rochdale, plus one of his two brothers and his sister.
Erica added: "Moving On is a place for special people because they're all individuals that need care in different ways.
"Everyone has come from an acquired brain injury such as a stroke.
"Sometimes they act normal but other times they don't.
"All the staff are very caring and trained - it's all done properly."
