Leicestershire disability service faces axe

This article is published in today's Leicester Mercury:

Leicestershire disability service faces axe

A scheme which helps scores of adults with learning difficulties to find work and gain work experience could face the axe.

Leicestershire County Council is reviewing where its spends its money as it tries to save £770,000 from its £15.5m day services budget.

One option is to stop funding schemes which help disabled people find work unless private investment can be found.

Campaigners fear this could spell the end of projects such as Breaking Barriers, which was set up two years ago to supplement day care services for people with learning difficulties, mental health problems and physical disabilities.

It has nine schemes in Hinckley, Coalville, Wigston and Loughborough and helps scores of people.

The scheme at Millfield Day Centre, in Hinckley, runs a recycling project involving up to 25 people who run a weekly market stall selling old clothes andrecycling paper.In Wigston, there is a gardening and nursery project and Coalville's scheme runs catering training and organises work experience placements.

Sue Disley, the county's assistant director for adults and communities, said: "People love attending these employment projects, which help adults with learning disabilities become more independent, learn skills to find work and build their confidence.

"However, they cost £770,000 a year to run and the council is not required by law to provide them.

"The review will see if these social enterprises can generate more income themselves and look at ways of bringing in private investment.

"The aim is to find alternative sources of funding so the schemes can continue."One volunteer in Hinckley, who did not want to be named, said these projects should not be cut.

He said: "The scheme helps service users to earn money and be more independent."I can't believe they are now considering closing it.

"The council is uncaring and will be hitting the most vulnerable people in our society."They should have thought it through properly in the first place."

The council's cabinet approved the review at Monday's meeting as part of its "medium term financial strategy".

Coalville Labour district councillor John Legrys said: "These schemes are invaluable and without their help, many clients will be forced to turn to official day centre care services, which will cost more."

Conservative Coun David Sprason, cabinet member for adults and communities, said: "We have already invested over £2.5m in these schemes.

"Unfortunately, however, we have no choice but to make efficiency savings. This review will look at alternative and perhaps better ways to fund these services."