The daughter of a woman at an Oxfordshire care home at risk of closure says the uncertainty and upheaval is creating sadness and anxiety for all the residents.

Alyson Brenchley's mother lives at The Old Bakehouse in Chadlington which owner Abbeyfield has made the “difficult decision” to close after a recent review of their care homes.

But Mrs Brenchley said it is a "vital service" in the community and launched a petition to save it signed by almost 1,500 people.

She said: "Patricia, 87, left Wales and moved into the care home to be near her daughter. The thought that she might be further away from her daughter is a great source of sadness.

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"The day after the dreadful meeting, called to inform the residents that the place they’ve lived in - their home – was at threat of closure, I met Patricia on the stairs.

She said to me: 'We lived through the War. I thought I would end my days peacefully, but I see there’s going to be another war.'"

Oxford Mail: The Old Bakehouse

Len, who will be 97 in September, was living independently at the age of 95 and moved into the Bakehouse 10 months ago after a fall.

She said: "He’s just settling now after this big change of circumstance and the thought of having to move again is causing him a great deal of anxiety."

Richard, 88, moved around during a career in the RAF.

"What would this mean for his friendships – seeing them every day as he has, for the last three years? Will he be able to see them again?"

Frank, 85, lost his eyesight very suddenly and had a very bad fall, said Mrs Brenchley.

As his daughter lived in Chadlington, he moved to the Bakehouse nearly seven years ago.

"This means his daughter can pop in to help him twice a day as indeed can any of his family."

Philip, 92, whose daughter lives locally, found love at the Old Bakehouse, with another resident – Yvonne.

"To see them together is extremely touching. What must be going through their minds about the future and the possibility of finding somewhere together?

"Similarly to Len, Pat, who is lively and mobile at 97, has just moved here – 10 months ago. The long process of selling her flat and moving in was extremely stressful, she was just in the process of settling here, when the news of Abbeyfield’s intentions was announced."

Mrs Brenchley said: "The model of a house of this size – 11 occupants – with kind and supportive staff, and with such good and humane links with the village - a gift from a former villager to the elderly of Chadlington – seems to me to be something precious in these days of crisis in social care.

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"It's an asset to be retained for the village and its people and not to be lost as a by-product of a business, settling its books by selling off its assets."

An Abbeyfield spokesperson said: "As a responsible housing and care provider, we conduct periodic reviews of all of our homes to make sure they remain suitable for residents. 

"We also needed to reflect how the past few difficult years have impacted the organisation's finances, particularly the impact of the Covid pandemic, the huge increase in energy prices, rising inflation, and rapidly increasing operating costs.

"We fully acknowledge the impact that this consultation, and any potential outcomes, will have on our residents and staff in particular, and we will be doing everything we can to support and assist them through this difficult process."