Islington Council have cut £26,000 in funding for St Luke’s Community Center. St Luke’s provides support to people with dementia, helping people get out of the house, providing an invaluable lifeline.
At full council on 15th September, Barbara Sheridan from St Luke’s presented a 1,000 strong petition against the cuts. Islington Labour Councillor Cllr Burgess made clear that the council felt the funding was not possible in this current climate of cuts.
Cllr Caroline Russell with St Luke’s Barbara Sheridan after Islington Council
Green Party Councillor Caroline Russell said “The testimony from Barbara who presented the petition to save dementia services at St Lukes was devastating. Anyone listening would be in no doubt that the services provided save money by keeping people living independently in their own homes as long as possible.”
“I was shocked to hear the Chief Executive of St Lukes say that, Cllr Burgess’ response to his question to the meeting, was the first explanation that he had been given about the funding cuts affecting their dementia services. I understand that the Council has impossible choices to make, due to desperate government cuts. However it is just not acceptable to implement cuts without full consultation in advance with those communities affected so that alternatives to closing essential services can be explored.”
“I used my supplementary question on St Lukes to get agreement from Cllr Burgess to meet with staff and users to discuss the services provided and review the decision. I hope a practical solution can be found. It makes no sense to cut a service that does so much to maintain the independence of some of our most vulnerable residents.”