Our fear for vital Link

FEAR for the future . . . Chris Murray (left) and Harry Green

OLDHAMERS who use the Link Centre fear redundancies could signal the demise of a vital service which helps them cope with their disabilities.

Chris Murray (64) and Harry Green (61) both rely on regular physiotherapy sessions at the Union Street centre to aid their lives.

Father-of-two Chris, who lives in Hartington Court, Royton, is paralysed from the chest down, but finds independence through his specially-adapted car and wheelchair.

However, without physiotherapy, his legs stiffen which makes it extremely difficult for him to get in and out of the vehicle from his chair — and also to get into bed at night.

He said: “I can go anywhere and do anything if I can drive, but without that I would lose my independence.

“It’s not just physiotherapy offered from the Link Centre, there are lots of services to make life easier for people with disabilities.

“There are private rooms with hoists to help those who can’t manage at home to have showers and baths. There is also a great social aspect.

“Our worry is that five people have already taken voluntary redundancy. So without staff, how will they continue to provide services?

“I have a link worker who knows how to work my body, I go every week for physiotherapy, which is all part of what they call re-enablement.

“I don’t know what I would do without it. If it closed it would greatly affect my life and the lives of many others.”

Harry was paralysed from the waist down two years ago when he fell through a ceiling while working in the construction industry.

He goes to the Link Centre three times a week for physiotherapy — and to a painting class.

Harry said: “I am worried that when staff go at the end of March it will diminish the facilities we use. I drive an adapted car, it’s brilliant and gives me independence. It’s so easy to park at the Link Centre but if I had to go to hospital for physio the parking would be a nightmare. The Link Centre is also a great social help. I have met around 50 people there over the last couple of years — it’s a big part of my life.”

Councillor Jackie Stanton, Oldham Council’s Cabinet member for adults and health, said: “The Link Centre is a valuable asset in providing a wide range of services and will continue to do so.

“In the future, the council will be actively looking at what other services can be run there, encouraging more people to get involved and also increasing opportunities for local charities and community groups to work in partnership with the council based out of the Link Centre.”