People are being urged to sign a petition demanding to save a holiday respite centre in Southport which provides vital breaks for disabled people and carers.
It was announced this week that Sandpipers Centre in Southport, operated by the Revitalise Respite Holidays charity, will sadly close on 25th November 2024.
Devastated Revitalise bosses said that ‘the financial challenges we face have become insurmountable’.
Hundreds of people have now signed a petition calling for Sandpipers to be saved, which you can sign here
Toni-Marie Barker said: “This is such a vital service for so many people with disabilities. The most vulnerable within our society. It is also my permanent home, as well as providing vital spinal rehabilitation for a small number of guests at any one time.
“We urgently need financial support to ensure the whole service can continue.
“To lose these respite services – my home and the much needed rehabilitation services – is just so utterly devastating.
“Not to mention the lives of so many hardworking and dedicated staff members.
“Please help now.”
The Sandpipers Centre in Southport, on the edge of Marine Lake, will shut on 25th November 2024.
In a statement, Revitalise Respite Holidays said: “It is with great sadness that Revitalise Respite Holidays must announce that the difficult decision has been made to close the charity. Despite every effort to ensure the charity’s survival, the financial challenges we face have become insurmountable.
“It is our intention to honour all guest breaks booked until 25th November; following which our centres will close. We are communicating with all guests with breaks booked beyond that date and with those who have longer term placements.
“Revitalise would like to thank all of our guests for their loyal support throughout the charity’s 60 years of operation. To our dedicated staff, volunteers, donors, and supporters, we extend our deepest gratitude for your unparalleled efforts and passion for Revitalise’s mission. Your contributions have made a tangible difference in helping provide vital respite for disabled people and their carers.
“We are deeply sorry that as the UK’s last remaining provider of holidays with 24-hour care for people with complex disabilities, the breaks we provide will now be beyond reach for the majority of our guests.
“It remains our lasting hope that policy makers take heed of the critical state of affairs in the social care sector and ensure that respite is properly funded.”
For enquiries or if you are affected by the closure please contact Revitalise via email at enquiries@revitalise.org.uk
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrownn@gmail.com
