Thame day centre fears cuts may force it to close (From Oxford Mail)

Thame day centre fears cuts may force it to close

7:00pm Friday 10th September 2010 in

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A DAY centre which offers the only social contact for dozens of pensioners, has warned it could close ahead of expected funding cuts.

Trustees of the day centre at Thame Community Hospital are bidding to raise £135,000 over fears of a drop in grant support from Oxfordshire County Council.

The Thame & District Day Centre is a meeting place for 60 elderly residents, collecting them from home, putting on entertainment and giving them a home-cooked meal on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

But chairman of trustees Brenda Prosser said: “We have been told by the county council that the biggest slice of the cake will go to resource centres looking after people with a lot more complex needs than just social needs, as we do.”

She said: “Some of our users do not see anyone or go out at all apart from their day here; it is the highlight of their week."

Oxfordshire County Council spokesman Marcus Mabberley said no decision had yet been made about future funding for day centres in Oxfordshire.