Published: 27 January, 2011
• I AGREE with Liza Lobb (Letters January 13) about the proposed closure of Age Concern Camden’s Great Croft Resource Centre.
Its closure, and of Henderson Court in Hampstead, is not only wrong but financially shortsighted.
Longer-term costs are likely to far outweigh money saved.
The closing of these two centres would leave a large number of Camden residents isolated and with little structure to their lives. Research shows that in this context people are far more prone to physical and mental ill-health, resulting in an increased reliance on more expensive statutory social services and NHS provision.
I work as a community music therapist at Great Croft and Henderson Court and see at first-hand how they keep our older citizens active, creative and socially engaged.
They offer advice, activities, and instigate projects that bring people and communities together.
Both centres also provide a safe and supportive environment for a growing number of people with early dementia.
It seems ironic that as government is promoting the importance of wellbeing and community, these centres should have their funding withdrawn.
The New Journal must continue to draw attention to the plight of our older Camden residents and readers lobby councillors to continue to support the centres.
JUNE STOLL
Canfield Gardens, NW6
To Live For
• Great Croft Centre has given me more to live for.
It was the council who referred me to the centre in the first place. It gives me a break from my role as a carer at home. I am 77 and I look after my 46-year-old disabled son. I’ve been doing this for over 15 years.
Closure will badly affect many people in the area. Elderly people have worked hard all their lives; now we have to pay for the mistakes in the economy, made by others. These people think that the elderly are good-for-nothing, and can easily be swept under the carpet.
GEORGINA BOTTLEY
My People
• I DON’T want Great Croft to close as all my people are here and would have nowhere to go. I would be stuck in my flat all day, alone
ABUL BASHIRE
The End?
I HAVE been a member of Great Croft for 20 years and I am now 90 and if this closes it will be my end – it’s my life coming here and I am on my own and wouldn’t see anybody.
Please don’t close our centre.
MEGAN O’BRIEN
Lifeline
• TO me Great Croft is a lifeline, somewhere to go and be with others.
To sit and talk and eat with company.
I think I would give up without it, as I have no children and family far away. I am 85 and also have two artificial hips. We gave a lot up to this country when we were young and expected a bit of respect. It seems we are now a burden and nobody cares. One day you will all be old.
JOAN SMITH
Lives Ruined
• GREAT Croft will be hit by reductions until funding is completely withdrawn in 2012.
So the people from here will have their lives ruined.
It is not only the people coming in several days a week who are happy but their relatives who can’t see them every day.
One of our ladies had been away for several weeks and I looked at her today. She is 99.
Her face looked so drawn, but she settled down and had a good dinner. So what will she do all by herself for the last days of her life? There have been so many like her.
She was brought here and taken back in a wheelchair. On Friday we dance – a lovely young lady organises it – and we also get someone playing piano and lady who does massages.
PAMELA WHITEHOUSE
Insight
• I AM a carer for Pamela Whitehouse who is also my mother.
She has had an unusual life, spending most of it outside of the home, first at work, then for the community which she thoroughly enjoyed.
She has only been attending Great Croft for a couple of years, but looks forward to her visits there. It keeps her active, alert and independent. She has had to adjust to many changes and this centre has involved and introduced her to many older people who are all reaching the same stage of life.
I watch and study my mother and she gives me great insight into who she is as a person and as an older human being. Her attendance at Great Croft gives her greater independence.
Everyone is lovely at Great Croft and they do a great job for people who are reaching a very difficult time in their lives and who have to accept and take on board a lot of changes which are difficult for them.
JANE WHITEHOUSE
Very sad day
• TO hear that Great Croft and other centres will be closing and may never open again is a very sad day for me and many other members; there will be nothing in the south of Camden.
At Great Croft we have bowls, darts, dancing and other things. The staff and volunteers are very helpful – the salt of the earth. I hope the three centres will be saved.
BRIAN NOONAN
Keep it open
• I AM 88 and a regular attender at Great Croft since I was 60.
I have to use a frame to walk and I find it very difficult. The centre is therefore a lifeline for myself and other members. It keeps our brains working and also our bodies. Please do your utmost to keep it open.
ISABELLA REID
All alone…
• Without Great Croft I would be completely alone in my flat – it would be the end of my life – I can’t go for walks by myself. It’s a marvellous place and I am thankful to Jane and the staff who run it. Please don’t close my centre.
VIOLET DELOE
Four walls
• IF it was not for Great Croft I would be at home looking at the four walls. It would be very sad and depressing. I am 66, getting older, but I am still young at heart. I hope they will think about older people. Some of them can’t walk and depend on carers.
CARMEN SAINALLY
Nowhere…
• I AM 91 and disabled, I suffer from glaucoma, osteoporosis, high heart rate, spondylolisthesis, high blood pressure, and can’t walk more than 20 yards at a time.
I depend on Great Croft Centre. I live in the WC1 red light area, with its prostitutes, pimps and drugs. What life have we got if this centre closes?
I paid income tax all my life, and am still paying! Please don’t do this to our centre; we’ve got nowhere to go.
ROSIE RIESE
Help, please
• WITHOUT Great Croft we would have nowhere to go, and all our lives would be a misery – I cried when Iheard the news.
All our staff are very nice and look after us very well. We play darts and bowls; go out on outings in the summer, and have parties.
Please help us!
MALCOLM DAVIS
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