Brighter future
5:56am Fri Jul 23, 2010
A day care centre for the elderly that was due to close looks set to survive after alternative funding was found.
Dukeries Day Care Centre, on Whinney Lane, Ollerton, is due to lose its funding from Nottinghamshire County Council in mid-August, which was expected to force its closure.
However, an un-named organisation has stepped in to provide the money to keep it open.
The deal still needs to be approved by the organisation’s board.
If it is approved, funding will start in September.
A charity, also un-named, has agreed to provide money in the interim.
Mr Danny Smith, the principal of the Dukeries College and Complex, of which the day care centre is part, said he was confident the funding would be secured.
“Providing that it does go through, then the centre will not just remain open but it will be extended and developed further,” he said.
The loss of the centre was part of a £400,000 budget cut for the college and its community services announced by the county council earlier this year.
It said closing the centre would save £31,717 a year.
Ollerton and Boughton Town Council last week agreed to give £500 to help the day centre remain open for the time being.
The day care centre provides a range of activities for older people, including painting, crafts, games, gentle fitness activities and cookery demonstrations. It also has close ties with the college’s health and social care department.
The college is still negotiating with partner organisations to help retain other community services affected by the budget cut, such as Riding For The Disabled, the Community Theatre and the community bus.
