Carers say cuts to their day services could cost dearly

The change to elderly service provision is just one of many proposals raised in East Renfrewshire’s budget plan which is causing alarm among residents.

Carers of those who use East Ren’s learning disability day services are also worried about the future.

Under an estimated saving of £90,000, the budget proposal states that Thornliebank Resource Centre and Barrhead Centre could be replaced by a single hub.

Christine Currie, whose son attends adult training at the Thornliebank centre, told The Extra: “None of us had been told about the budget proposals, and now it looks like there is going to be a closure. We are very 
concerned.”

Worried carers say that a single centre could cause transport problems, and that the amount of support available to service users could suffer under a single team.

A group protesting the plan have organised meetings for December, and will present their views to East Renfrewshire council.

Christine added: “Isobel Mair School is a great facility, but where do our young people go when they leave?

“My son has been brought on so much by the centre — take that away, and he will have nothing to do but sit in the house all day.”