A CHARITY has given assurances its day centre for the elderly in Newquay will remain open following uncertainty about the facility’s future.

Age UK Cornwall states it is reshaping its provision at the Govenek Community Hub in Crantock Street due to rising costs and declining numbers.

Users were left uncertain whether the facility would continue when they were notified “difficult” decisions regarding the future of the day centre had to be made as it had become increasingly hard to maintain the standards necessary for delivering quality services.

They were also told the “priority” was to continue to support those who use the centre although that may be in a different way.

Users were called to meetings at the day centre on May 12 and 13 to discuss the way forward and many came away uncertain about its future.

Tracey Roose, the chief executive of Age UK Cornwall, told the Voice they would have to reshape the five-hour social group sessions for people that have additional needs at the day centre due the costs involved providing extra staff.

She pledged that the hour-long sessions would remain operating, which include the exercise, carers, singing, tech and tea, knit and natter and arts as well as crafts groups.

The Govenek Community Hub has struggled financially in recent years as pre Covid they regularly had 25 to 30 people attending classes, which has now dropped to an average of between six and eight.

The cost of operating the day centre has also increased during the past five years from £400 a day to £850 due to a rise in national insurance, staff, food and transport costs.

Age UK Cornwall increased the cost for users attending the hour-long sessions from £4 to £10 from February 22.

Trustees have made the decision not to put up prices further and instead increase the activities being offered in a bid to attract more people to attend. They will also be looking to see if businesses want to sponsor services at the centre.

Tracey Roose said: “The Govenek Community Hub will remain open. However, due to rising costs associated with operating Day Services, and declining numbers, we are in the process of reshaping our provision, prioritising several activities and support. Activities such as social groups, memory cafés, carers' groups, and information & advice services will continue.

“Our priority is to ensure that the needs of our clients and their families are met, and that our staff and volunteers are fully supported. We are undertaking engagement sessions with all clients and carers to explore what people would like and want from our Community Hub in the future.

“We are particularly focused on those individuals who we may struggle to assist in the same manner, collaborating with them and their families to explore alternative options like activities, outings, and other day centre and home support services.

“We have already been graced with a wealth of support offers and several ideas that will enrich the Community Hub.

“We are currently in consultation with the staff team affected and are mindful of the sensitivities of this process, so we are not yet ready to go public with a broader engagement plan. However, once this phase concludes around mid-July, we will actively engage with local stakeholders, share our plans, and welcome further discussions to help us transform the hub into a vital community space for Newquay and the surrounding areas.

“We sincerely appreciate people’s patience and understanding during this process.”

Susan Methorst has been using Govenek Community Hub since her husband died to attend the Tech and Tea sessions so she could learn how to communicate with family living abroad.

She said: “I sincerely hope this never happens, but I believe there are plans to close the centre. “I am in my eighties and my husband died four years’ ago. I am still struggling not only with the trauma of my husband’s demise, but also having to deal with modern technology which my late husband always dealt with and whose family live abroad. “After considerable difficulty trying to find the much needed support and understanding I needed during my bereavement, I was finally put in touch with Age-UK Newquay, the existence of which I feel is not a well-known fact locally nor the fact that they also support other sections of the community who may, for example, suffer from memory loss or dementia.

“All the staff, including drivers and other auxiliary staff, show patience and a particular ability to care for the elderly, making my life much easier, having no family living locally. There is nowhere else in Newquay where care for independent elderly and/or bereaved can be found in a safe, non-residential environment so this will be a sad loss to people in a similar situation to that in which I now find myself. “I shall always be grateful to Age-UK, Newquay.”