A RESCUE plan has been put together to provide day care for elderly people in Tenbury and the Teme Valley following the announcement that the facility in Burford is to close.

As reported, Age UK which has run the day care centre in Burford that provides respite for more than 20 people aged between 59-92 for more than 20 years, has revealed it is to close at the end of June.

It looks after people three days a week and provides vital respite for carers but Age UK in Hereford has decided it is not the best way to use limited resources.

But the Kyrebrook Centre in Tenbury is stepping in to take over and also taking on two paid staff and two volunteers who work at Burford. It The Kyrebrook Centre has agreed to open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays so that it will completely fill the gap left by the closure of the centre at Burford Village Hall.

It also marks a major expansion for the centre at Kyrebrook in Tenbury that will now be open every day of the week.

The Kyrebook Centre will also be hiring a mini bus from the Tenbury Transport Trust to collect people and return them home at the end of the day.

Improvements are being made at the Kyrebrook Centre including better toilet facilities in order the make the expansion possible.

“Without the day centre, many of the elderly and vulnerable clients would be completely socially isolated, without any stimulation or activity, or means to interact with the outside world,” said Ria Baxter, a director of the Kyrebrook Centre director.

She said the closure of the centre in Burford was largely for financial reasons and added that although some charges would have to increase a way had been found to make the service viable.

Additional costs will include insurance, staff pay, transport as well as providing a second disabled toilet.

“We have negotiated an initial three month rental agreement with Tenbury Transport Trust for a very favourable rental fee for one of their buses,” added Mrs Baxter, who said the biggest challenge will be to cover costs until income comes in but she is confident that this can be achieved.

“This will ensure the elderly and vulnerable adults in Tenbury Wells and the surrounding areas will have a support structure in place that will offer them the opportunity to feel valued and respected and give them the social interaction that is vital to their health and wellbeing.”

“Many carers are elderly themselves, and just getting a few hours respite is priceless. What can’t be underestimated is the empowerment the cared for person has, when they can go home and talk to their carers about what sort of day they’ve had, independent of their carers.”

Applications for grant funding are being made and people can also donate at http://www.gofundme.com/usdybg