Families of disabled youngsters could be reprieved after their Nantwich short-break facility was earmarked for closure.
Users of Queen’s Drive respite home (pictured) were angered at plans to offer an elderly person’s home in Crewe as a replacement.
Cheshire East Council wants to close Queen’s Drive to save £73,000 as part of ongoing austerity measures.
It could leave carers like Mike Card having to put his 40 and 24 year old disabled daughters into a home for the elderly on his 42 respite days a year.
So campaigners teamed up with 3L Care, based in Congleton, to draw up plans for a new, custom-made short break and respite facility.
Mike, of Crewe, represents the 26 families who use Queen’s Drive throughout the year.
He said: “Closing Queen’s Drive was a disaster for us and others who use it. I am not putting my daughters in a home with geriatric patients.
“I was horrified at first as there was no alternative put forward. I told them in no uncertain terms this was unacceptable.”
Marcus Tarrant, managing director of 3L Care, backed the parents.
He said: “Placing young people with learning disabilities in a home designed for the elderly was considered wholly inappropriate by their parents and we warned local authorities against this.”
3L Care contacted all users of the Queen’s Drive facility and issued a proposal to Cheshire East Council to either convert a detached council-owned bungalow in Haslington (pictured) or provide a five-bedroom house in Crewe.
“The response from the council was overwhelmingly positive. Everyone was keen to find a solution appropriate to the needs of the young people,” said Mr Tarrant.
Kathy Cooper, director of care at 3L Care, added: “Together and in a very short space of time we have managed to create an alternative which is far better for the young people than a home predominantly for the elderly.”
The families, 3L Care and Cheshire East representatives are to meet to consider both plans.
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