Express & Star

Consultation launching over dementia services shake-up in Wolverhampton

A consultation over whether a dementia service should move from a vandal-hit building is set to be launched.

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Blakenhall Community Resource Centre. Picture: Google

Blakenhall Community Resource Centre, in Haggar Street, opened in 1997 and provides day care to people five-days-a-week.

But concerns have been raised over vandalism and break-ins at the site, which is now 90 per cent vacant.

Now people will be asked to have their say over the proposed move to Action for Independence on Albert Road in the city.

Councillor Linda Leach, cabinet member for adults, said: "The building at the moment is quite poor and does not meet our expectations – we don't have full accessibility.

"The Action for Independence has very good facilities – they have a large garden area, toilet facilities, and a kitchen area where people can go and make their own meals.

"It's right opposite West Park so people can go out for walks and there will not be any current changes to staffing."

Councillor Leach added she would "not want to put" any of her loved ones into the current centre, with the proposals being supported by councillors for the area.

Councillor Ian Brookfield, leader of the authority, said: "It's vitally important we do this.

"Yes, that's where the services were, but times have gone on and now it's getting vandalised.

"Yes, we're going to do the consultation but we should highlight the fact we want improvements to help our elderly to lead better lives."

A report to bosses said the move would help people who use the service feel less isolated and allow them "greater interaction" with others.

It added: "The Action for Independence venue is well used by a number of council teams, partner organisations and the voluntary sector making it a well visited part of the city community.

"It is a more inclusive venue as opposed to the isolating effect of the current Blakenhall venue."

The consultation will run for eight weeks.

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