A cash-strapped day centre for elderly in Bury St Edmunds could be forced to close next April after Suffolk County Council funding cuts – reports the Bury Free Press.
The council is only picking up the tab for 38 people a week to visit the Beetons Lodge day care centre and will not be referring or paying for any more people to attend.
The centre will be forced to turn to private paying customers if it is to survive.
The news comes as Suffolk County Council warned of more cutbacks to services and job losses next year, ahead of expected cuts in government funding.
The administration said is expected a shortfall of £22 million and anticipates the loss of 134 full-time posts.
Anne Bines, manager of the centre, said: "The elderly are being victimised, once again, with cutbacks because the can’t fight back.
"They have given us the okay until March next year, but after that date we don’t know if there is a job for us or not.
"It’s devastating for the people who come here. Sometimes this is the only place they get out to each week. Once that is taken away they have got nothing."
The day centre can cater for up to 92 people a week, but currently has 57 people attending.
Richard Freeman, chairman of the Beetons Lodge trustees said: "All of our customers are over 70 and have some sort of moderate level of disability, such as dementia, Alzheimers or Parkinson’s Disease.
"Some come twice a week so that costs around £40 – a lot of money for someone who is frail and elderly to find."
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