THE chairman of a trust has said he still has concerns about the future of an Evesham centre that provide vital support to people who have suffered serious brain damage, despite reassurances there are no plans to close it.

We have previously reported on the fears the Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Centre following mass resignations before the end of term.

The Davies Road-based centre supports the educational needs of people who have suffered damage to their brain through head injuries and strokes, offering courses including in gardening, photograph and cookery.

READ MORE: Popular Brain Injury Centre ‘will not close’

The fears were raised following reported resignations and changes to staff salary’s at the centre.

Mike Gage, chairman of the Acquired Brain Injury Trust, said the resignations were worrying, especially for students who "need continuity".

Mr Gage explained that he had heard the owners of the centre, WCG, reassessed staff salaries at the centre and some employees were downgraded and then offered a different package which involved salary cuts.

Mr Gage said: "Staff who have chosen to leave as they were unhappy at the terms of employment they were offered, had experience and knowledge of teaching people who have suffered an ABI.

"Some are co-ordinators - the key person between the teaching staff, students and visitors. They have years of experience, and the students knew them. "Those who have brain injuries need continuity, trust to build that relationship.

"The trust is really disappointed that there has been no consulting with us at all. We had a meeting organised with them, but that was cancelled and has not been rearranged.

"We understand salaries are a matter between employer and employee that we would not be involved with. But if they had just said 'we need to make savings is there anyway you could help?' it could have been different.

"We are in a partnership with the college. I know our bank balance we could have stepped in, and we would have fundraised too.

"I saw the WCG statement, but we are still concerned about its future."

A WCG spokesperson said: "We reiterate there is no plan to close the ABI Centre based at Evesham College in the forthcoming academic year.

"Indeed the number of courses is being increased and over five days a week rather than 4 days. Some college staff who taught for part of their time in the ABI Centre have left the college and replacement staff will be appointed ready for September.

"We sympathise with learners at the ABI Centre who may be anxious about these changes and will do all that we can as a college to make the transition smooth for them all.

"We hope to continue our current working relationship with the ABI trust and look forward to an ongoing dialogue with the trust about the centre."

READ MORE: Anger as Pershore nursery Bright Beginnings closes suddenly