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Closing the Markhouse Centre will rip up relationships by sending the attendees to the four corners of Waltham Forest and beyond to as yet unidentified services (if they exist), exacerbating isolation, destroying long established friendships and causing deep distress to the many service users who rely on routine for a sense of security. This is quite simply an attack on the individuals with the highest support needs in our society for the sake of making money out of what the council sees as a prime site ripe for commercial development.
Removing this crucial support system would not only adversely affect the quality of life for those with learning disabilities and autism, but also place additional strain on their families and caregivers who depend on the day centre for respite and assistance.
We urge the Cabinet to reconsider the decision to close the day centre and explore alternative solutions.
Please sign the petition to stop the council from taking this action.
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The Petition
You can sign online using the link on the Council website. They have made it deliberately difficult, using very small light-coloured print, but here is how you do it:
1) CLICK ON THIS LINK. You may be aked to register and provide a password. When you have signed in successfully proceed to:
2] Click on "ePetition" (small writing on list to the left)
3) Click on "Stop Friendships being Ripped up" (list in small writing)
If you have successfully signed the petition a large block of text will appear.
Alternatively you can download a PDF file of the petition using THIS LINK for you and others to sign by hand. You will then need to post or hand deliver it to Saima, the manager of the Centre (address at the top of this page).
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On Wednesday 11th September we held a public meeting to hear the views of the service users' parents and carers and the staff of the Centre regarding the looming closure. Below is a slightly abridged sound recording of what the most involved individuals had to say, both on their own behalf and as representatives of those who are not able to speak for themselves.
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