“In a way I agree with Gillian. Why is the tax payer paying for care? Where are the relatives of these out-patients? Years ago there were no 'benefits' the family took care of each other including their elderly.”

“Charity may begin at home, yet any with experience in life will indeed realise at times we all need the care and support of that which is known as the care of the community. Many of us may amount our amasses in gold and account for our selves in luxury, yet none of us can remember exactly how we were cared for as a child, yet somehow we seem to have instinctively learnt how to adapt to the ever changing varying situations around us. There are some who are born in a different realm of interpretation of the sensory world than the others of us, in a similar manner to a Freemason being lost in hell and Satan replying ¿your money's no good in here¿; so for any in Council who are experiencing difficulty in learning how to provide adaptable stable environments for their new ergonomic chair, it is obvious throwing money at a problem which has no where to be spent in an effort to make-up for years of lack in investment in the wisdomed duties of a Government is a fooled Tarot economy.

Via the modern method of delivering finance to root source the costly managers and management fees are 'saved' as are Council commitments to maintenance and running of premises. In an example of freedom in choice, responsibility has been placed on the closest near neighbour. The least that can be done is to offer these carers who are effectively health-care 'amateur-professionals' respite breaks which are equivalent to 12 nights every year, given the increased responsibility of being fund managers as well as standard duties. Selection of accommodation is easy for the able carers themselves, yet the holidaying patients still require specialist staff and facilities which are not common place and often charge at a marked premium.

Plymouthians may not believe this story, but once on my way out for a night out of dancing, I passed a lady in a wheelchair, who, to my surprise was still there when I returned home. She obviously had funds, but due to a mistake at a local hotel when she arrived the booking was inappropriate as the room didn't have wheelchair access as requested. We spent an hour walking around trying to find her a bed and breakfast to which she could gain access. After phoning several others we considered we had found somewhere, and I had to make my own way on home, to my many staired top-floor flat, incidently.

The next day, I saw the same lady sat outside in her wheelchair. At this point, are we thinking the same thing?

Wisdom
Well being
Welby
See you again friends”

“DAVE DEVONPORTcoming from devonport it springs to my my mind that you should thank your lucky stars that your children are not disabled , might be inbred but not disabled”

“think gillian has a point. If the carers are to receive cash payments then why can't they organise the care themselves?. i don't wish these kids to have to forego services but i'm sure there are plenty of people out there unemployed who would be happy to take out some of these kids. Some that say they look after them 24-7 simply don't as up until now they have gone to welby?. I think it would be better to stop all cash payments and upgrade the centres ensuring the kids come first. Some parents are happy to take the money I suspect but not provide respite. The disabled are vulnerable but unfortunately we are all paying for labours legacy.”

“GILLIAN ,PLYMOUTH , I have just read your post and have come to the conclusion that you are a very bitter heartless person , ho w can you deny any help to these poor unfortunate people”

“PCC yet again is a complete let down... im sure they will send another camera car around the streets to catch people off their guard to make more money to line their pockets and to then still close another respite home!! When will they stop letting us down and do something good for a change.”

“Football must come first .... how else will the council leaders be able to rub shoulders with "celebs" .
Nothing shows the pathetic values that the council have on our society better than recent events where "argyle" seem more important . Its just not this place .... its dozens of similar. All aimed at the weaker section of society while looking after the rich .”

“Having worked at Welby and many other units around the city I have to say Welby was one of the best, it had a family feel to it and was a lifeline for many individuals with learning disabilities as well as their parents/carers.

I must mention one family who used to use Welby, they were in their 80's with a son in his mid 50's and they rarely had a day off caring for him. The son had some very challenging behaviour due his physical limitations and learning difficulties. For them Welby gave them one day a month to have time to themselves.

PCC have their priorities completely wrong, they can spend millions building a life centre but they can't find the menial sum needed to protect a small respite centre.”

“Wow it amazes me how the council can consider buying a stadium because they feel it's beneficial to the community yet stop funding places like this because they can't afford it!
I'm sure the parents of these children will take great consolation in perhaps taking them to see argyle instead.. I think not.”

“Absolutely, Rick. The ignorance and callousness of some people is quite jaw-dropping. The first three posts on here are disgusting, and the people who wrote them should be ashamed, although I doubt they have the emotional capacity or maturity to actually feel shame. How can anyone support the cutting of vital services for some of the most vulnerable people in society and their often exhausted carers?? Has everyone conveniently forgotten that it was the bankers who caused the financial crash?? Thet carry on getting obscene amounts of money after being bailed out by US, yet essential public services are being slashed. The mark of a civilised society is how it treats its most vulnerable. And as for the comments about parents/carers receiving loads of money, and why can't they just put their children up in a hotel from time-to-time - stupid, ignorant and offensive. The council chap saying that it's better for carers/parents to receive personalised budgets is rubbish, too. I actually work in adult social services, and the vast majority of service-users DON'T WANT 'CHOICE' - they simply want good local services when they need them. Parents/carers are too exhausted and the system is too confusing for them to have the added burden of managing a budget, employing 'personal assistants', and exercising 'choice'. And anyway, so many services have been cut and closed that there's no choice anyway...”