Croydon (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Croydon residents fear losing vital support as the council ends its 25-year partnership with John Whitgift Foundation, closing the Croydon Carer Support Service.
In spite of this, there have been a lot of appeals for the George Street drop-in center to stay open, and a petition has been made. Nearly 10,000 Croydon carers have benefited from the support services offered by the JWF-run drop-in centre since it opened in the town centre in 2013.
Services include free bereavement counseling, help with benefit applications, and advice.
The center is referred to as a “one-stop shop for carers” on its website.
It offers extra phone and email assistance when the store is closed.
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The Carers Café at the Centre offers a space for carers to take a break, socialize, and talk about their experiences with others going through similar things.
Regulars say the volunteer-run café is ‘more than simply a café’ and is open three days a week.
It was therefore not unexpected that there has been a great deal of public outrage over rumors that the center is closing. Although the council has acknowledged that the George Street center would close, a formal closing date has not yet been set.
After the council recently switched carer support providers, the center’s future was called into question.
Following a thorough procurement process, the council announced last Wednesday (February 12) that Carers First had won the contract to become the new supplier for adult caregiver evaluations and health support.
This new agreement is part of the council’s carer services division, which also saw them sign a new agreement with Croydon Mind to offer counselling and mental health help to adult carers. Off the Record, a counseling charity, will soon offer its specialized service for caregivers of all ages.
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The council developed the new contracts after consulting with carers, and they will go into effect on April 1st of this year. The council has pledged to collaborate with the JWF in order to guarantee a “smooth handover” of its services prior to the change.
Following the announcement, the JWF said:
“We have been very pleased to be able to support carers in Croydon for over 25 years. Whilst we are naturally disappointed that we have not been successful in our bid, we wish Carers First the very best in delivering this important work.”
By informing the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that no financial savings would result from the supplier change, the council has tried to allay speculation that this is a “cost-saving” exercise and has clarified that no career staff employment will be at risk.
Additionally, the council informed the LDRS that “Carers First is exploring options for that” and that a substitute in-person center would soon be built in the borough.
The center’s present employees will also have the option to transfer to the new contract if they so choose, they added.
However, following the recent closing of four of the borough’s libraries, many Croydon residents view the closure of the George Street site as yet another loss of public space.
Café regular Jackie Arnold shared her distress over the decision in a petition calling for the centre to remain. She said:
“As someone personally impacted by the remarkable services offered by the Croydon Carers Centre, it troubles me to no end that this valuable community fixture is potentially facing closure.
She added:
For me, and for countless other carers, both young and adult, the Centre has been a critical lifeline. It’s a place where we can talk, socialize, and share our stories, it’s more than just a café for us. Time and again, the Centre has proven its worth and value.”
People have also shared their own tales of the center’s significance to them in the petition, which at the time of writing had over 800 signatories.
One signatory, Christine Fisher, said: “This is a real blow to local carers, depriving them of the support they so deserve.”
Another, Jean Morgan, said:
“I am a carer for my disabled daughter and have used the care centre and Carers Café for many years. I go in weekly to meet up with other carers and support each other. We do not want to lose this vital facility. The staff and volunteers do an excellent job and know each one of us who go in by name. Please reconsider.”
Following the announcement of the new providers, Croydon’s Mayor Jason Perry said that life-long carers are the glue that holds families together, and they recognise the vital role they have in our community. It is essential that carers have the health and wellbeing support needed.
He said:
“There will be no loss of service to carers and we are working in close partnership with both John Whitgift Foundation and Carers First to ensure there is a seamless transition for Croydon carers.
My thanks go to the John Whitgift Foundation for their many years of service.”