Published: 02 February 2012
by TOM FOOT

CARE groups representing hundreds of vulnerable people in Camden have warned the Town Hall it will be “turning the clock back” if plans to move a range of day-care services on to a single site are approved.

The Camden Society, and Disability in Camden, have submitted an alternative scheme for the proposed Greenwood Place in Kentish Town, which, under Town Hall plans, would replace the Greenwood Centre that currently occupies the site behind the HMV Forum.

Officials also want to close and sell off four other day centre buildings for people with Alzheimer’s, autism, schizophrenia and dementia – moving all services into a Greenwood “super-centre”.

Those who use the centre claim Greenwood Place would “feel like a big warehouse”, a “ghetto” or an “institution”.

They say it poses a threat to hundreds of people with learning difficulties who use the current Greenwood Centre each week but who have not been guaranteed a separate space in the new building.

In a glossy brochure, submitted to the Town Hall as part of the council’s consultation, the Greenwood Action Group, said: “It’s turning the clock back to put all these groups together. Leave us where we are and help us improve our centre.”

The council scheme has been criticised by Labour Hampstead and Kilburn MP Glenda Jackson who has written to the Town Hall warning against the “crazy plan”.

Frances Mostafa, who has worked at and used the centre for 25 years, said: “It won’t work.  

There’s a stigma around learning difficulties, that we are stupid or lazy and don’t know anything. But with the right support we can do anything.”

The charity Mencap has made strong objections, as have celebrities including actor Helen Bonham Carter.

The alternative put forward by the two charities would mean demolishing the centre and building private housing on the site to pay for a new centre, run by the Camden Society and ­people with learning difficulties.

The Greenwood Action Group regularly train NHS and social care staff on working with people who have learning difficulties and campaign for better understanding. The group holds dance, parenting, art and computer classes each week.

There is a social enterprise scheme at Greenwood, called Mail Out, in which people are employed to help post packages for companies and there is a popular hot meals lunch service for elderly people with learning difficulties.

Around 300 people use the centre each week and for many it is the only place to go.

When the New Journal met centre users, many said they felt “forgotten”.

They say the consultation has not focused on what will happen to people using Netherwood, Raglan, Highgate and New Shoots day centres.

The council argues it must make major changes or risk the future of care services in Camden.

A council spokeswoman said: “We have been in discussion with the Camden Society about this, and will continue these discussions to ensure that whatever the outcome of the Greenwood consultation process we continue to meet the needs of the people currently using these ser­vices.

“It is important to highlight that many of the people that use the current Greenwood Centre do so for informal activities and socialising.

“These opportunities will still be available in a new building which will have shared spaces that can be booked throughout the week and at weekends by organisations and groups to run activities such as art, dance and drama.”

A report into the response from the Greenwood Place consultation will be published by Camden Council on March 7.

The cabinet will consider the findings on April 18 following advice from the housing adult social care scrutiny panel which will discuss the plans on March 14.