New home found for under-threat adult day centre

3 hours ago

Emily JohnsonYorkshire

News image — Families of service users said they are relieved that an alternative building has been identified

LDRS Cllr Keane Duncan is pictured standing in the centre of four other people. Three are holding signs saying 'Protect local services', 'Save Cauwood', and 'Keep our daycare'. Keane has brown hair and is wearing a navy blue shirt and dark trousers. Parent Caroline Garrod is to his right, with dark hair and wearing a light blue shirt with a navy jacket and dark trousers. Three other parents are in the photo, one a woman with short dark hair and glasses wearing a turquoise jacket and jeans, one a grey haired man wearing a bright blue jumper and jeans, and the final one a grey haired man wearing sunglasses, a navy blue jumper and dark trousers. They're standing in front of a brick building, with grass and a couple of trees behind them. There is also a white car to the left of the image. — Families of service users said they are relieved that an alternative building has been identified

A new home has been found for an adult day care service following the decision to close down the existing centre.

Campaigners have fought to save Cauwood Day Service, in Malton, which supports eight adults with learning disabilities, autism and other complex needs.

On Tuesday, North Yorkshire Council approved plans to shut the Cauwood site but develop new detailed care packages for the adults who currently use the facility.

Families said they were "relieved" after receiving reassurance trusted staff would be retained and a new premises would open on Whitby Road, in Pickering.

The authority also plans to run a hub in Malton, as well as offer services in the community to meet the individual needs of users.

Cauwood's closure will make way for an extra care housing scheme to be built on the Old Malton Road site.

North Yorkshire Council said keeping the building open would have cost more than £300,000 within the next two years to maintain safe standards.

Demand for the service had also dropped significantly, according to the council.

North Yorkshire Council The exterior of a single-storey brick building constructed from light red and brown brickwork with dark brown window frames. The roof is a low-pitched tiled roof extending across the entire structure. Trees and greenery are visible behind and around the building. — Parents said the news had come after months of sleepless nights

Councillor Keane Duncan, who publicly supported the Save Cauwood petition, said: "Today's decision by North Yorkshire Council's executive means a new Cauwood will open, its name will continue, its dedicated staff will transfer and services will remain available locally.

"Back in April, there was no commitment to another Cauwood, no guarantee of a dedicated replacement building and no certainty that the staff team would remain together.

"The strength of our community campaign has resulted in a positive proposal that gives families the reassurance they need after an incredibly stressful period."

Stuart Moss, whose son Matty attends Cauwood, said they had experienced months of stress, anxiety and sleepless nights but this had been "positive news".

"The location of the new building has been confirmed to us and we are relieved," he added.

"To see a smile on Matty's face and hear his excited reaction was very overwhelming.

"We are now looking forward positively to working together with North Yorkshire Council, the amazing Cauwood staff and others to make the new Cauwood a success with a legacy to be proud of."

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.