I AM an enthusiastic 95-year-old pensioner who attends the Shotover Resource Centre in Oxford one day a week.
This centre is very active and benefits about 60 members daily. Transport starts pick-ups at 9am and leaves for return journeys at 3pm.
This is about to be changed by Oxfordshire County Council.
A few months ago we welcomed the Willow day centre’s members. Did no-one know or care what effect this would have on the proposed move?
It is now apparently suggested that we have two shifts. Pick-ups will start at 8am – what time will carers need to arrive to get disabled people ready?
And God knows what time in the afternoon people will arrive home.
These thoughts have to be considered because the dining area – as the name signifies – is 68 square metres, approximately 10m x 7m.
How many people, many severely handicapped, can be served in that area?
This situation means that many people have had to be excluded from this service.
I believe there is now a waiting list of 50 and, sadly, forever growing.
A meeting was called by John Jackson, the county council’s director of social and community services, for February 25.
This was cancelled on February 15. Why?
At this time the happy carers and considerate drivers have no knowledge they can give us.
It seems the people most affected by the move are to remain in a suspended state of anxiety.
Is this the treatment pensioners are to expect in the future?
JOHN HEWER
Guardian Court
New Cross Road
Headington
Oxford
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