LETTERSFrom Anni Nicholson, Sue Jacobs, Sharon Dent, Lorna Wisdom and Ann Dawson (Riboleau House Day Centre), Ryde:
WITH reference to the article (CP, 30-07-10) concerning the closure/sale of mental health day centres.
We are some of the people attending Riboleau House, in Ryde. Most of the clients here suffer from long-term depression, anxiety, breakdowns and other mental health problems.
It is probably fair to say that coming to a day centre helps us to get our lives back on track. The support we receive here also means we do not have to go into hospital so much.
Many GPs, psychiatrists and other mental health staff would agree that, important as their input is, (and we wouldn’t want to lose any of this support), they do not have the time to give to clients that day centres do.
There is always a member of staff here with whom we can discuss things and we can take part in a variety of sessions. These enable us to regain some confidence, cope with day-to-day situations, take up voluntary work, learn how to mix and go out with friends and cope with any crisis we may face.
You may be surprised at the many activities undertaken, including pottery, art, woodwork, walking, bowling, needlework, photography, gardening, music, Tai Chi, "Meet, cook and eat", getting about on public transport etc. We also have access to self help groups such as anger management, anxiety, dealing with things which trigger ill health, self esteem and other courses from time to time.
Most people have no idea of the tremendous support we get from day centres. We do, however, realise that in this economic climate, the council needs to find more money to enable services to continue, but why go to the lengths of closing/selling off day centres only to then have to find other suitable places for mental health sufferers to go to?
We feel that would only cause more expenditure and will certainly raise stress and anxiety levels in the clients concerned. Incidentally, our premises are also used by other groups during the week, and weekends, like the CAB, MATS and AA.
Our day centres work, please do not take them away. What is it that people say? If it ain’t broke…don’t try to fix it!
From Eva Pamela Clarke, Newbridge:
Put people first: What the Avenues Centre, Freshwater, means to me: it’s a safe place to go when times are bad and feel there is no peace in your life. You can’t live on pills all the time, you need people you know, who do not judge you. A place where you can do things together, support one another and go out together feeling like a family.
I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have the centre staff to speak to. I feel full of fear thinking there will be nowhere to go with people I know.
It takes me a long time to trust people but thanks to the Avenues, I have made friends. I know there must be so many other people who feel like I do. Pills are no good, you need a friendly face, a kind word. People should come first, not money.
Editor’s footnote: Thanks you to all users and staff of the centres who have written expressing similar views.
From D. E. Hazell, Totland:
Money well spent: We learn, for the first time, via the County Press that the IW Council is closing down centres specifically used for the support of those who suffer conditions which preclude them from a life enjoyed by the vast majority of our society.
The article goes on to say that alternative accommodation has yet to be arranged.
Apart from the fact it is indefensible to advise those involved in this way, and I speak with some knowledge of The Avenues Centre in Freshwater, it calls into question the way in which my money, our money, is being spent.
Is it right that the feckless and law breakers should be allowed disproportionate support at the expense of those who suffer through no fault of their own? I will be accused of over simplifying the problems facing government, to which I would reply, if more common sense and discipline had been exercised in the first place, the hard decisions called for today would not be necessary.
Poverty in the Thirties meant little or no food on the table. Today it is measured by the absence of a television set.