SOME of Bolton’s most vulnerable people will be among the casualties if proposals to shut disability day centres go ahead as part of the wave of spending cuts.

Parents and carers have made a heartfelt plea to Bolton Council chiefs to retain the under-threat service, earmarked for possible closure in a review of the council’s adult services.

But a council spokesman said: “Absolutely no decisions have been made at this stage about closing any day care centres or any other adult social care services in Bolton.

“Due to the need to achieve savings, we are having to consider all the options and we are talking to people about all the possibilities, and getting their views.

“We need to undertake this review because, as more people use their personal budgets differently and decide to use alternatives to traditional day services, we need to make sure money is being spent where people want it.

“We will consider all options over the next three months and will report back with firmer proposals by the end of 2010.”

Bolton Carers Forum — made up of parents of disabled adults who use the facilities — is launching a campaign against proposals to close the centres, which provide training and care for adults who have learning and physical disabilities.

Treasurer Brian Kenny, aged 72, whose son, Shaun, attends the Jubilee Centre in Halliwell, said: “He knows there is something going on and is very upset by it.”

Mr Kenny, of Little Lever, added: “The centres provide respite care for us. The average age of parents is 60-plus and it is a social forum for service users who take part in activities and go out on day trips.”

Some parents are too worried to tell their children about the proposals.

Rita Farrington, aged 66, of Horwich, has a son Andrew, aged 42, who attends Heaton Fold Centre. She said: “It is his life. I can’t tell him — it will affect his health.”

Many of the centre users have been attending day care centres since they were in their late teens.

Bolton Carers Forum, which has about 160 members, says that by shutting the centres, the borough is targeting vulnerable people.

Mr Kenny said: “I would say to the people responsible for making decisions, ‘come and stay with us for one day’.

“We are not asking for anything more — just to keep the centres as they are.”

Brian Walsh, aged 65, of Westhoughton, whose daughter, Julie, aged 42, has Down’s syndrome and attends the Jubilee Centre, said: “Julie loves coming here.

“She takes part in a lot of activities, and the social aspect is important to her.

“By shutting these centres, the council will be discriminating against the vulnerable.”

For Down’s sufferer Carl Beuken, aged 31, of Horwich, the centre provides vital one-to-one care and social activities.

His mother Patricia, aged 64, said: “This is the only time he can socialise. There will be no alternative if this centre goes.”

The forum plans a protest in Victoria Square tomorrow.

schaudhari@ theboltonnews.co.uk