• I AM 82 and was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease four years ago.

In the past I have campaigned with the Friends of Netherwood day centre to save it from closure and I went on the 2011 anti-cuts march with them to offer my support.

Now I read with horror that Netherwood is threatened with closure again.

My symptoms are mild and I live independently with a small amount of help. But with this news of Netherwood’s proposed closure I just do not feel as secure as I did.

I have made my flat as comfortable and as safe as possible with the knowledge I could go to Netherwood if things got really difficult for me.

Now that safety net is no longer a certainty I feel anxious, have sleepless nights and am worried about an uncertain future.

I love the idea of being safe: walking through the door at Netherwood and not having to worry and being able to walk freely and independently and not feeling hemmed in.

I know these are the huge benefits of the Netherwood set-up and the building which is enhanced by its excellent staff.  This is very important to me because I am a very independent person.

I don’t think Kingsgate is suitable. It is not a good idea to have mixed needs and I worry about the safety aspect and the potential lack of freedom a centre within a centre would ultimately cause.

As an ex-nurse I am worried about the burden put on staff in this new, difficult environment. I am also hugely concerned for the families of people with dementia who are bound to feel anxious that this resource is threatened with closure.

At the moment freedom and dignity are the most precious things I have and I want to keep them for as long as I can. Netherwood would enable me to do that.

On behalf of those who attend Netherwood, their families and the staff there I ask the council to please, please rethink this proposal.

How would you feel if it was your father or mother, your brother or sister who faced such an uncertain future with this disease?  This is a very precious resource in Camden that should not be thrown away lightly.

JOY NELSON, N19