By John Baron
Service users fighting to stop the council moving to a mental health support hub from Stocks Hill in Armley to Horsforth have staged a sit in protest against the decision.
A challenge to the council’s decision to cut the number of sites offering the day opportunities service in Leeds from six to three proved unsuccessful at a scrutiny board meeting last week.
WLD understands around eight service users staged a peaceful sit-in protest at Stocks Hill last Friday afternoon, which lasted for several hours into Friday evening. Banners and placards were placed outside the centre in protest.
One of the protesters told WLD: “We don’t feel we have been listened to, we have to make them listen to us.
“Some of us don’t drive and we simply can’t travel all the way to Horsforth – it’s four buses and a three-hour round trip. The consultation wasn’t really a consultation as keeping Stocks Hill open for our service was never an option.”
The sit-in ended on Friday after service bosses agreed to that a senior councillor would meet with the concerned service users.
A Leeds City Council spokesperson today said: “We understand that the relocation of Stocks Hill is a source of concern for some people who currently use the building and we have offered to meet with them again this week to discuss those concerns.
“In the meantime, we are continuing to work directly with all those impacted by the changes and would stress that there are no anticipated changes to the level of support people receive as result of the Stocks Hill relocation. We’ve worked to ensure the alternative sites do offer improved accessibility and choice.
“We remain committed to working together with those affected so we can find the best alternative arrangements for them and ensure they continue to receive the support they need.”
Users of Stocks Hill protested outside Leeds Civic Hall last month, saying they would they would have too far to travel for support groups and well-being activities.
Councillors sitting on last week’s scrutiny board at Leeds Civic Hall heard that some of the services provided at Stocks Hill would be provided locally in Armley and New Wortley following concerns about travelling to Horsforth.
Centres at Lovell Park and Vales Circles in Beeston will also move as the number of sites offering the day opportunities service is cut from six to three in a bid to save the council £500,000.
The Armley service will move to Calverlands Complex Needs Centre in Horsforth.
The Lovell Park hub will move to Wykebeck Complex Needs Centre and Vales Circles will join Laurel Bank Complex Needs Centre in Middleton. The Lovell Park and Vales Circles buildings will be sold off as the council seeks to balance its books. Stocks Hill will be retained by the council for unspecified usage.