With all of this talk of Westminster House closing, we thought you’d find it helpful to understand what happens there – Ed.
Imagine you’ve got a child or relative with learning difficulties living with you at home.
That person has the strength of an adult, but possibly the mental age of a young child. They might find it hard to communicate their feelings, so get frustrated and occasionally violent, smashing things around the family house.
It can be a very intense experience.
A deep breath
Respite care gives these families the chance to have a day or two to live their lives like you and I take for granted – normal life. Frankly it’s a chance to take a step back and take a deep breath, balancing themselves for the of their child.
The adults with learning difficulties can be demanding, so when they go to places like Westminster House, it can get expensive, because care is often on a one-on-one basis. The staff providing the care don’t get paid lots of money, it’s just that lots of them are needed.
What sort of society do we want to live in?
Once question to ask is what sort of society do we want to live in? Do we want to live in a place that supports these families who have to pretty hard lives, so occasionally they can enjoy a life that is close to what we find normal?
Or do we look at the balance sheet in a cold-hearted way and say “That’s a large expense – let’s cut that to the bone.”
Most people – especially those who profess a strong faith – would surely have some compassion for the plight of these people?
These families have had a very rough few months. First the announcement of the Supporting People budget being cut, the introduction of Personal budgets, then the Medina Centre being closed.
Now these vulnerable people are being told that they’ll have to move from a place that they’re familiar with in Newport, to the basement in an old people’s home in Freshwater.
Image: Brymo under CC BY-SA 2.0
