Who are we? 

We are a group of deeply concerned carers and family members of people with severe learning disabilities in Shirley, Southampton. Our lives have been turned upside down by the closure of a critical respite centre. We’re fighting to get Kentish Road reopened and we need your help. 

What are we fighting for?   

Kentish Road respite centre was prematurely closed in November 2017 despite the fact that it would not actually save the local authority any money. This has left families and carers at crisis point with no suitable alternatives to meet the needs of those with complex learning disabilities. 

We’re fighting for the right to access respite services that are suitable for the people we care for and most importantly gives them independence.

The local authority has claimed the closure will lead to better outcomes and a more personalised approach to care. This is not the case as the alternatives will not meet individual’s complex needs. 

Three months since closure families have still not received respite and this has had a  devastating impact on their lives, leading to family breakdowns and drastic health issues which are stress related. 

Families have put pressure on the local authority and they have reluctantly agreed to Re-Open  Kentish Road for weekends only but not until July 2018 and under strict conditions. Agreeing to do this demonstrates that the local authority recognises that we need Kentish Road and without it disabled adults and their families will not get the respite they need. 

What is the legal challenge?

We want to legally challenge the closure of Kentish Road – but we need your support our case so that we can instruct a barrister to advise us on the merits of a legal claim on behalf of service users and families.