Wyre Forest Labour Proudly serving the people of Kidderminster, Bewdley & Stourport
Ben Davies & Vincent O’Callaghan, prospective Labour District Council candidates issued a joint statement: “We stand shoulder to shoulder with the parents of children at Ludlow Road. We will fight tooth and nail with them in our efforts to keep this wonderful home open. Please join us on Saturday between 10am and 12midday outside Kidderminster Town Hall to express your support for the parents and sign our petition.”
Stephen Brown Wyre Forest Labour added “It’s quite clear from what the parents are saying just how important Ludlow Road is to them, their children, and families. Amanda Danby has been amazing, organising the parents and liaising with Labour activists in order to get parents voices heard, as they don’t want to lose Ludlow Road. So, Worcestershire County Council need to listen to the parents and respect their wishes and keep it open. Twenty Three families rely on this home to give them respite. It seems apparent that the cost to them, our communities, and extra burdens on the health and care system down the line, if it is closed, will far outweigh the simple financial cost of keeping it open. Closing this home, which is exactly what it is, ‘an extension of their family Home’ and their family lives, would be a grave mistake and is totally unacceptable. The Council needs to realise that it has a duty to keep it open and work with partner organisations like the NHS & CCG to find the money to provide a long term solution.
What are our elected Tory Councillors and Tory MP’s doing? It’s about time they started standing up for their constituents. It’s time to end their collusion with austerity which is causing so much damage to our most vulnerable people, their families, and wider community.”
Collective parents’ statement:
“We’re calling on Worcestershire County Council to maintain funding for Ludlow Road, Kidderminster, NHS Short Breaks Service.
Ludlow Road provides essential respite and medical care to the most vulnerable, disabled children in the county. To close the unit will have a detrimental impact on the children and their families.”
The Parents Voice their individual opinions:
Amanda Danby, who’s son Mason attends Ludlow Road, and is the main organiser for parents and liaising with Wyre Forest Labour activists said “If we lose Ludlow Road I do not have confidence in their alternative provision for our children. There will never be another place like it I’m afraid. Not once have I felt that Ludlow Rd isn’t the best place for my son Mason. All the staff are professional with their care to all of our children but also make it a home from home, which makes it a very special place indeed.”
Kelly Higgot said “Taking away Ludlow Road from my daughter Madison will break her heart. It has taken some years for her to establish the trust and comfort of being away from home. The staff go above and beyond for each and every child there.”
Emma Grantham says “To take away Ludlow Road now from my daughter Millie would be devastating. It has taken her 2 years to build up the trust she needed, to go and spend time away from home. I know that moving her now would mean she would never cope. Her needs have changed so much in the past 18 months and the girls at Ludlow Road have done everythink they could to make life better for her. We need Ludlow Road, our children need Ludlow Road.”
Clare Neal “Ludlow Road is a lifeline to our family! My son Sam receives 24 hour medical care from qualified staff when he stays. Knowing he is safe enables us to recharge our batteries and continue caring.”
Carol & Kevin Paddock whose son Joshua goes to Ludlow Road said “We are devastated Worcestershire County Council are even considering the closure of Ludlow Road which provides essential respite for families with disabled children. Ludlow road is a residential setting providing a comforting home from home feel for vulnerable children, rather than the other facilities on offer which are more institutionalised. Our son has formed strong friendships here and the setting is perfect for the nature of these children. The closure of Ludlow Road will have disastrous consequences for us as a family, together with all other current families and future families that will be in need of such a wonderful facility”.