THE closure of a respite centre would take away a lifeline for many of its users, according to a woman who regularly attends the centre.

Tina Alden has been attending Fourways in Tyldesley for six years, allowing her 82-year-old mum and full-time carer who she lives with in Swinton much-needed respite.

But the centre could be closed as part of a proposal, currently under consultation, by Wigan Council to reform adult social care.

“Some people have been coming here for years and they have not taken that into account,” said the 48-year-old who suffers from manic depression, epilepsy and fibromyalgia – a chronic condition that causes pain all over her body.

“I come here seven times a year and it is the best time I have. When I am home, I don’t get out unless my sisters come round – all I can do is sit upstairs in my room.”

Alongside the respite centre and day centre at Fourways, three other centres, the Heath Road centre in Ashton, Heathside in Leigh and Ullswater in Lowton could also be closed down.

“They said that the centre is only 40 per cent full but it isn’t – there is only one bed not being used at the moment,” she said.

“I met my fiancé there and even though he had to stop attending, he lives over that way so if I stop going I won’t get to see him.

“This has had a really bad effect on me. When I come here the staff make me feel normal and now that is being taken away.”

The council hopes the changes will save money while providing more tailored care.

Jo Willmott, assistant director for provider management and market development at Wigan Council, said: “Tina is a Salford resident, therefore her care needs are met by Salford Council’s adult social care department. We are working with our colleagues in Salford, Tina and her family to make sure that Tina’s needs and aspirations are fully met.

“I’d like to reassure Tina and other service users that, regardless of the consultation’s outcome, her and other service users’ needs will still be looked after and they will still be given the opportunity to get out into the community.

"In fact the model that we’re looking at aims to give service users more say in the activities they take part in, meaning they will be given better and more suitable opportunities.”