USERS of a “vital” Stourport day centre have been left devastated after it was announced it would shut this week due to dwindling numbers.

Bosses at Sanctuary Care, who run Ravenhurst Day Care Centre, in Lickhill Road North, confirmed they had decided to close the facility due to a decline in users in recent years.

The centre - which is situated behind Ravenhurst Residential Care Home - ran morning, afternoon and all day sessions for over 65’s. Elderly people who attended the centre could make new friends and take part in shared activities, such as arts and crafts. They also provided homemade hot lunches and transport for those who attended.

Staff at the centre have been offered alternative positions at the care home.

But those with relatives who have used the service have criticised the decision to close the “vital” service.

Jayne Woodhouse, whose father attended the service, said: “My father absolutely loved going to the day care centre.

“He has vascular dementia and it was just such a wonderful outlet for him to attend. It gave him access to other people - when you are stuck at home you are isolated.

“The day centre really made him smile - he was taking part in different activities and he made some wonderful friends.

“He started to ask to go to the day centre more and more, and asking when he was going again.

“I think that day centre is absolutely vital.

“Some people who were attending the centre had been going for two to three years – if this service goes where will they go now?

“It is such a shame the day centre will be lost. I hope they reconsider.”

Elizabeth Melley, a self-employed personal assistant for several people who use the centre, said: “When my clients attend the centre it is the only respite their families get from looking after them. The care is second to none and the staff are brilliant with the older people that go there.

“Some of the people who go there suffer with dementia and Parkinson’s so their families and loved ones have a difficult time looking after them 24/7.

“One of my clients who currently attends suffers with dementia and Parkinson’s disease and he is 83-years-old. His wife suffers with several illnesses – one of them being rheumatoid arthritis.

“I help out by getting him ready and taking him to Ravenhurst and collecting him – he sleeps very little during the night so his wife gets very little sleep, so having the day on her own to catch up on her sleep is vital so she can function when her husband is home.

“This is a vital service to the community, giving families a break from caring for loved ones who are physically and mentally ill and also a vital link for older people to socialise."

Stephen Rees, director of care operations at Sanctuary Care, said: “As participation in the day care centre has been in significant decline over the past few years, we have taken the difficult decision to end the service.

“A similar provision is available at Westmead Day Care Centre in Droitwich where the activities provided are still tailored to what our service users enjoy, and by focusing on the day care service at Westmead, participants will have even more of an opportunity to meet new friends.

“We would encourage anyone interested in joining us there to contact them directly.”