MEMBERS of the Age Concern Cheshire day centre in Tarporley are opposing its proposed closure.

Volunteer Roger Parrott spoke out at the village parish council meeting.

He told the councillors the day centre, in existence for more than 25 years, operates for two days a week at Oat Hills Lea with 12 places on each session for elderly people.

He explained volunteers would pick up elderly residents from their home and drive them to the centre for tea, coffee, cake and a hot lunch and a chance to meet friends and socialise.

Mr Parrott said: “The new proposals are to close the centres across West Cheshire and replace them with a selection of alternatives including telephone support, befriending volunteers, individually tailored support, learning courses, tea and lunch clubs, pub trips and trips to the golf course.

“We the volunteers don’t think this is at all appropriate for the elderly people who go to the day centre and the idea that the residents would go and do these activities is just not viable. They would just not get the benefits they currently enjoy at the day centre.”

Mr Parrott added the elderly people at the Tarporley day centre are all good friends and treat the group as an ‘extended family’, and if it was to disappear it would leave many increasingly vulnerable and isolated.

If the day centre’s close there will be redundancies at all levels.

On Friday Eddisbury MP Stephen O’Brien visited the Tarporley Day Care Centre to show his support.

He said “I was shocked to learn that Age Concern Cheshire was planning to close all it’s day care centres, including the one here in Tarporley, which is extremely popular and well used by local pensioners and those is sheltered accommodation.

“This type of service is vitally important to the elderly who use it to socialise with their friends and to enjoy various organised activities and events. Day care for the elderly in Tarporley and across Cheshire helps to prevent the feeling of isolation that many of our senior citizens can feel.”

He added: “I have written to the Chief Executive of Age Concern Cheshire, making her aware of my own and local concerns about the proposed closure.”