Save our day centre

GOOD companions . . . Hilda (front, second from the right) and her friends at Highbarn Day Centre

Council budget-cut threat hangs over Highbarn

A CAMPAIGNING pensioner and her centenarian mother are spearheading the fight to save the Highbarn Day Centre from budget cuts by Oldham Council.

Proposals to close the Royton centre, which specialises in front-line dementia care, has been met with widespread opposition. And there are few who understand its value better than Hilda Wright and Freda Eason.

Freda’s mother Hilda is 100-years-old, but she has managed to delay the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s and continues to love life and stay active. Freda believes that this is down to her regular visits to the day centre.

Freda (64), of Alpine Grove, Royton, said: “My mum has been visiting the centre on a regular basis for around eight years and it has worked wonders for her.

“Before she went in, she was having night terrors and thought people were coming to get her. She also used to wander around the streets and put herself in danger.

“It got to the stage where we knew she would have to go into a home, but we couldn’t find anything that was suitable for her, until we discovered the Highbarn Day Centre and haven’t looked back since.”

“I absolutely cannot praise the staff enough. They treat each visitor as an individual and they know what makes them tick.”

Freda is so passionate about the cause that she garnered 500 signatures within two days for a petition. She has been in regular contact with Oldham Council since it announced it might need to close the centre to help plug the £17.3m budget deficit.

Hilda still lives in her own home but loves getting involved in the many activities the centre offers, including dominoes, quizzes, day trips and energetic exercise classes.

Freda added: “Alzheimer’s is a devastating condition and as it takes its toll the disease begins to take over their sense of reality more and more, but my mum’s deterioration has been delayed because of this wonderful service.

“I know how lucky I am that I still have my mum and I know she won’t live forever, but I strongly feel that other older people should have the same benefits that my mother has enjoyed over the years and that’s why I’m fighting.

“My mother is a really contented lady. And isn’t giving our older people the chance to end their lives with as much happiness as possible the very least that we should be striving for?”

Cabinet member for adult services and health, Councillor Brian Lord, said: “The closure of Highbarn Day Centre which provides services to older people is being considered as a budget saving option. However, we must stress that this is still only an option at this point and no decision to close Highbarn has been made. A decision will be made in March.”