Disabled day care centre to close

A day care centre for disabled adults in Gwynedd is to close despite a protest by supporters. Canolfan Segontium in Caernarfon is attended by 24 adults, many with severe disabilities. Protestors said the care at the centre was exceptional and there was concern about what would happen to the people who used it if it closed.

Councillor Dai Rees Jones said the closure was not to save money but to improve the care of individuals.

Will and Dilys Parry Williams travelled to the meeting at Caernarfon from their home at Tregarth near Bangor.

Their daughter Rhian Mai, 37, has attended the centre since she was 18. Mr Parry Williams said he was very disappointed the council was not looking at building a new centre, but rather at finding places for those who attended at various other locations in the county.

"My daughter has had the same carer, Karen Owen, since she started at Segontium, and we consider her part of our family," he said. "Our daughter has a severe disability and although I have great respect for the other establishments within the county I don't think they have the facilities to care for her. What those attending the centre need is continuity of specialist care."

Cheryl Williams from Bethesda has a sister, Sharon, 49, who attends the centre. "I don't think the council has thought through the closure properly. I accept the building where they are is unsuitable but what we need is another centre."

Elizabeth Pitts, from Llanberis has two daughters who attend the centre - Linda, 34 and Janet, 33. "There is no-where else where they can go," she said.

Social Services portfolio holder councillor Dai Rees Jones said the decision was taken so that the level of care could be improved - on the basis of individual need. He said the council had not contacted families beforehand because there had not been anything concrete to say.

There was, he said, some money available if alternative care could not be organised for those attending the centre, and another centre needed to be built. "I can say, hand on heart, that this decision has not been taken to save money," he added.