LEARNING disability services will cease to operate in April and a councillor claims this will have a “devastating and distressing effect” on people using the centres.

Funding for Capability Scotland centres in Paisley’s Whitehaugh and Johnstone’s West Lane Gardens – which offer support and activities to 47 people with learning disabilities – will not continue in the next financial year.

Renfrewshire Council cash had been found to keep them open over the last year, while self-directed support budgets were put in place for people using the service. But it was confirmed in a report to Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Integration Joint Board (IJB) last week that the services will not continue.

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Councillor Derek Bibby, whose ward covers Johnstone’s West Lane Gardens, said: “This will have a devastating and distressing effect on those who have had their lives enriched by attending these two centres, which have provided companionship, security and a first class quality of care.

“It has been their wish to continue to attend but their wishes have been ignored.

“It must not be forgotten that many of the service users have been attending and benefited from this service for decades and the impact on them cannot be underestimated.

“The alternatives being offered cannot possibly emulate what is provided at West Lane Gardens and Whitehaugh.

“I have first hand experience of this through attending events at the centres.”

David Leese, chief officer of the health and social care partnership, and Christine Laverty, head of Learning Disability Services, have been helping people to look for alternative services that meet their needs.

Ms Laverty revealed that 21 people have moved on or are currently in transition to another service they have visited and said they want to use.

Another 19 look set move on to Community Networks – services where users can develop skills and independence.

However, six families have refused to enter any discussions because they are keen to remain at the Capability Scotland services.

Helen Allison’s daughter Aileen, 50, has attended the Whitehaugh service for 15 years and is now considering attending Spinners Gate Adult Day Centre in Paisley, where additional staff have been hired to meet an expected increase in demand.

Helen credited the Whitehaugh centre for giving Aileen “confidence and happiness” and said she is “apprehensive about the move”.

She added: “It has been a long fight to keep the service open and Aileen will find it hard to adjust. “However, we hope it will all be for the best.”

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Dr Donny Lyons, chair of the IJB, said at the meeting: “I express appreciation for David, Christine and their colleagues for the way they have worked in a difficult position and also to the council for funding the service over the past year.

“It’s a very difficult situation for all of us, one that we didn’t want to be in, and we have done our absolute best.”