Residents are fighting to prevent the closure of Harborne Day Centre, a crucial resource for vulnerable adults in Birmingham.
The council faces financial problems and needs to cut costs for day centers. But people want the Harborne center to stay open. They protested on February 26th before a budget meeting, holding signs that said, “Save the day centers” and “Land over lives?”.
James Cross, whose relative uses the center, said they would fight for vulnerable people. Martin Brooks left Labour and spoke out, stating that cuts hurt vulnerable people and carers. Local politicians also responded to the issue.
MPs Al Carns, Preet Gill, and Laurence Turner met James Cross. Council member Rob Pocock also attended the meeting. Gill called the center a lifeline, and Pocock said they discussed future site options. He thanked everyone for participating.
The closing centers’ services will relocate to the five remaining centers, with the council aiming to do this in March. Pocock said they must save money and the remaining centers should be used fully. People want activities beyond day centers, and the council aims to create a modern service where anyone needing a center can still use one. No staff will lose their jobs now.