At Monday night’s hastily arranged meeting, where Westminster House users, carers, parents and staff met to discuss the future of the centre we were able to speak to several people once discussions had finished.
One person we were able to chat to was Val Sharpe, a care worker at Westminster House who expressed during the meeting her disapproval of the relocation of service.
Val told us that she was willing to speak out because “I’m doing my job by protecting the people I’m looking after.”
Parents told staff happy, staff told parents happy
She told us how Monday’s meeting was the first time parents, service users and staff have got together to discuss the future of the centre.
According to Val, letters been sent by managers to parents giving the impression that all staff were happy with the plans for relocation. She went on to say that parents had been told that staff were happy to go to Gouldings and staff have been told that parents are happy to go too.
Quite surprising news, given the strength of feeling against the move that was expressed at the meeting.
Extra travel time and expense
Val explained that moving from Newport to Freshwater would added considerable time to the working day of staff with the extra travel not to mention mileage, with no petrol allowance.
Val told us her weekly travel mileage of four miles will increase to 84 miles.
Another member of staff will have to travel an additional 43 miles a day if the move to Freshwater went ahead.
Mazillius incorrect that staff are happy relocating
We asked Val what she thought about Cllr Mazillius’ statement that staff were behind the move.
This was immediately disputed by Val, who went on to tell VB about a site visit staff had made to Gouldings.
Her first impression of the centre was that it was not a pleasant environment to work in – she referred to it as “dungeon-like”.
She went onto say that Cllr Mazillius’ statement that staff were happy with move to Gouldings was completely untrue, adding that she didn’t know one member of staff who wanted to move there.
Benefits of being in Newport
It’s been said that moving to Freshwater will result in better care for users of the facility.
Val argued that by being based in Newport, staff can walk users (many in wheelchairs who have difficulty travel) down to town, go to the cinema, pubs, shop or night entertainment much more easily.
So many activities are right on their doorstep. Moving to Gouldings in Freshwater would result in losing this easy access to activities.
Medina Centre closure has led behavioural problems
Since the leaving party at Medina Centre, Val told us that Westminster House has had more service users for respite care.
As predicted at the time, sudden closure of the day centre has resulted in many users showing an increase in behavioural problems.
She ended by saying that despite working for the council for over 20 years and being proud of it, she was no longer proud of working for Isle of Wight council.
There is much more to hear, click on the play button to hear Val’s concerns.
[audio:http://otw-audio.s3.amazonaws.com/val-sharpe-care-worker-westminster-house.mp3]
Image: Roberto Verzo under CC BY 2.0
