| In a specially adapted Edwardian building in a small road just off Haydons Road, South Wimbledon, is a most inspirational, exciting and successful venture. All Saints Day Centre for the Severely and Chronically Disabled is open to all regardless of race, colour and creed. The Members have suffered major trauma in their lives, whether at birth, work or through illness. Many inhabit wheelchairs or need mechanical aids to move about, and others can actually walk a few steps with the aid of walking sticks etc but they all need to be accompanied if they go outside their front doors, and they need supervisision and help in getting dressed and feeding etc. Indeed these brave people struggle daily to overcome what, to the rest of us, are simple tasks.
At All Saints, they can participate in a varied and wide range of activities, mix socially with friends and make new friendships. All this happens under the watchful and caring eye of a superb team of staff. They can do flower arranging, art, needlework, computing, photography, Tai Chi and other exercises under the supervision of a fully trained physiotherapist. They are also taken on specially planned excursions to a variety of destinations including Buckingham Palace, the Coast,St Pauls, on the river, all places they would not be able to visit individually. They can get to All Saints and
go on these outings because the Council runs a wonderful transport system manned by an excellent team of drivers and escorts.
As a result the health and well being of the Members, and their Carers who look after them at all other times 24/7 is vastly improved. The benefits and value to the community at large is incalculable.
Why are we writing this letter then? Merton council like so many London boroughs are reporting a
shortfall in their cash provision from the Government so wish to cut these services. Apparently the short- fall is £50,000. You may be interested to know that at the last Council meeting on 29/11/07, the Councillors voted by majority for huge increases in expenses, in some cases amounting to 25%. Well above the rate of inflation.. They also approved a motion to improve disabled access to public places in Merton which is fine for those disabled who are able to move about independently but we are talking about the severely disabled and incapacitated who have no other choice but to wait for others to take them out.
We have been told it is in the name of modernisation that All Saints Day Centre activities may be
severely curtailed, indeed it may have to share its resources with the very old and senile dementia
sufferers. But All Saints Day Centre has been constantly changing and adapting to meet the ever
altering needs of the most vulnerable members of our Community. At the moment, Members of
All Saints Day Centre attend one or two days a week, thus providing them with the very welcome
opportunity to mix with their friends and enjoy Life. Indeed under European Union Law, all citizens have a right to a Social life and under Disability Law the handicapped and disabled are not to be discriminated against.
We appeal to you, the fit and healthy of Merton, to help us keep All Saints Day Centre open and running for Its Members 5 days a week. Please write or complain to your councillors.
Hopefully such traumas as have befallen the Members of all Saints and their families, may never happen to you and your families. But wouldn’t it be wonderful to know that such a magnificent place of considerable renown as All Saints is, would be there for you and your loved ones?
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