By Andrew Clarke

Last updated at 12:03, Friday, 12 March 2010

“RESPITE care is not an option – but a necessity!” That was the heart-felt message that was shouted loud and clear from the soapbox on Whitehaven’s Hub on Sunday afternoon.

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Parents, carers, children and politicians came together to take this message to the streets to highlight the lack of much-needed facilities for disabled children in the area.

The event, organised by campaigning mums Dawn Raynor and Rachael Davies, was a resounding success and it left no doubt about the strength of feeling that exists in the community. The impending closure of Seacroft – a “lifeline” respite centre in St Bees – was the catalyst for the peaceful protest, but the problems families face run much deeper.

“The reason we are here is the lack of facilities for disabled kids in this area,” said Dawn, a mother of two disabled 11-year-old boys, Callan and Ethan. “I believe the problems of having disabled kids are not widely known. We are not here to cause trouble or make enemies. We are just trying to create interest in the problems we face.”

The march began in Castle Park and along Lowther Street and King Street, before people gathered at The Hub on the harbourside to hear from Dawn, Rachael and other parents who spoke from the heart about their experiences.

The speeches began with a poignant reading of Where Are The Parents? – a moving piece, reprinted below.

“We need to unite as a community because it could be anybody’s child who could need the facilities,” said Rachael, whose 11-year-old daughter Saskia attends Seacroft.

“These facilities are a lifeline for disabled children and their families, and we can make a difference if we have one voice.”

Seacroft provides short breaks for disabled West Cumbrian youngsters but is said to be “no longer fit for purpose”. It will close its doors on March 31 after 23 years. The service is being replaced by a new centre at The Elms, on the site of the old infirmary at Workington.

Dawn and Rachael are currently working with other parents and the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Panel to petition the Quality Care Commission for a stay of execution for Seacroft.

“We think Seacroft should stay open, at least, until our children get used to The Elms,” said Rachael. “It is not easy for any children, especially disabled children, to undergo a change in facilities, so a stay of execution for Seacroft would give us a period of transition that would benefit everyone.”

“Being a parent of a disabled child is hard work,” said Dawn. “There are times when all the pressure and stress brings us close to breaking point. Respite care is not an option, but a necessity. This is our opportunity to try and get our voices heard.

“We are making a difference and people are working hard alongside us, but it is not happening fast enough,” added Rachael.

The crowd also heard from parents Michael Hawkins, Jackie Davies and Emma-Jane Taylor on their experiences of the care system.

“We need to know that Seacroft will not close if The Elms is not up and running by the planned opening date. That’s my concern.” said Michael.

Jackie, the mother of a 16-year-old son, added: “As parents, we have been talking for a long time. We have been talking forever with nobody listening.

“It makes me uncomfortable that we have to lay our lives bare before things are done. There ought to be better services in West Cumbria for people with disabilities.”

“We are all fighting the same fight so let’s fight it together,” said Emma-Jane, whose 13-year-old daughter Katy attends Mayfield.

“My daughter doesn’t attend Seacroft, but that’s not to say that my daughter, and a lot of other people’s children, will not need respite care in the future. We need to know these facilities will be there if we need them – to protect our own future.”

One parent, Sharon Walsh, told The Whitehaven News that she and her family are considering leaving the area due to the lack of facilities for her son Callum, 13.

“We have family in Sheffield and are thinking about moving there because of the poor facilities in West Cumbria,” she said.

“It’s getting to the stage where we just can’t cope. We don’t feel in the loop here and we don’t get to hear about services. We shouldn’t have to fight, but we have to – constantly.”

And it wasn’t only parents who took to the streets, with Copeland MP Jamie Reed and several councillors turning out to show their support.

Mr Reed said: “The bottom line is that we don’t have enough services in this area, and in the country as a whole, for disabled children and we need to do more about it.

“The role of everybody who wants to see a better society is to support this campaign and let this be the start of something and not the end.”

Elaine Woodburn, the leader of Copeland Council, even joined mayor Henry Wormstrup to act as impromptu traffic wardens to make sure marchers crossed Lowther Street safely.

“Seacroft is a service that is needed and everyone here today shows that we want it, we need it and should carry on the fight,” said Coun Woodburn.

First published at 16:00, Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk