Reprieve for Millman Street Resource Centre that Lily, 99, battled to save

Published: 31st March, 2011
by JOSIE HINTON

A CHERISHED day centre for elderly people which faced immediate closure is celebrating after winning a last-minute reprieve.

The Millman Street Resource Centre in Holborn has been given funding for an additional nine months after a “robust” business plan was put forward to secure its future.

The day centre, which costs Camden £144,000 a year, was due to have its funding axed in June as adult social care chiefs felt it was too small to secure alternative cash support.

This sparked a huge campaign in which elderly users, including 99-year-old Lily Chitty, surrounded the Town Hall in wheelchairs. Sadly, Lily will not share in the celebrations as she died earlier this month, just weeks after taking part in the protests.

Sue Shickle, who manages the centre, said members and staff were “delighted and relieved” at the news of the reprieve. 

“A bottle of wine was opened as soon as we heard,” she added. “It just gives us some breathing space. All our energies have been going into the campaign so now we’ve got some work to do to make sure we can fulfill the plan for our future.”

Crispin Burdett, chair of Holborn Community Association, which runs the centre, said: “Everyone is delighted we have successfully worked with officers and councillors to make our case. 

“Probably the biggest factor in the decision was the enormous support shown by the community. We collected 5,000 signatures and 150 people attended a consultation meeting. 

“I think Camden made assumptions that a small community association wouldn’t be able to make the transition to a different environment. We have shown how key the centre is and we are pleased Camden has listened.”

Managers now plan to go forward with extra funding from businesses. Members who qualify for a personal budget under the new swipe system – where people will “buy” care and services from around Camden – will also be able to spend the cash at the centre.

Rebecca Harrington, assistant director of adult social care at the Town Hall, said: “We initially said that Millman Street and Hillwood [a Somers Town pensioners’ club] did not have the potential to find different sources of funding. We were right about Hillwood. 

“Millman Street on the other hand has come up with a business plan that indicates they have potential to get funding from private sources. If we withdraw funding on June 30 as was planned, it doesn’t give them a chance. So we will extend to March 2012.” 

Shaku Woodrow, a member of the centre’s committee, said: “We are obviously very pleased. It’s just a shame Lily didn’t get to see it.”