Flintshire disability transport service under threat

Flintshire disability transport service under threat

BBC People dancing in a hall at the Clocktower BBC
The Clocktower offers day services for disabled people in Flintshire

The closure of an organisation which runs services and activities for disabled people would be a “tragedy”, parents have said.

The Clocktower, a not-for-profit company in Mostyn, Flintshire, is in danger of closure, citing a real-terms funding cut by the county council.

Staff said rising costs, including an increase in minimum wage and employers’ National Insurance contributions meant it had to cut free transport to and from the centre.

Flintshire council has been approached for comment.

James 'Bez' Beresford smiling at the camera

James “Bez” Beresford said he would be “destroyed” if he had to close the Clocktower

The Clocktower, which provides activities and events for 134 over-16s, said operating 17 vehicles cost about £6,000 a month in fuel.

Its director, James Beresford, said as the largest outgoing, transport had to take the hit.

He said the organisation needed at least a 10% increase in funding, but had only been offered 6% by Flintshire council.

“The reason we all do this line of work is to do the best we can for those individuals. To think I couldn’t do that anymore would destroy me,” he said.

Niamh Hughes and her parents Julie and Karl looking at the camera

The Clocktower is a ‘home from home’ for Niamh Hughes

Niamh Hughes from Buckley is 22 and has a very rare chromosome disorder called Phelan McDermid syndrome.

She is non-verbal and has severe epilepsy and has been attending The Clocktower – a 40-minute minibus ride away – for two years.

Her mum Julie said: “As soon as that bus arrives in the morning she’s running down the drive, she can’t wait to get there.

“Niamh particularly loves dancing, she loves going for walks. And the staff at Clocktower know Niamh so well they literally can’t do enough for her. It’s a home from home.”

“Without being dramatic it would be a tragedy if Clocktower had to fold and then where would people go?”

Niamh’s dad Karl said: “As a parent of a disabled child you don’t get peace of mind very often, but we know that she’s being looked after by people who love her. That’s very important.”

He said alternative respite services were not suitable for Niamh’s complex health issues and urged the council to reconsider its funding.

He said: “It’s a vital service and I don’t think for the small amount that they would save in transport I don’t think it’s worth the difficulty for the parents.”

Luke smiling at the camera

Luke has been coming to the Clocktower for three years

Luke, 23, regularly attends the Clocktower which he said is “pretty much like a second home to me”.

He said: “I get to hang out with friends and socialise with people and it’s just a dream, really.”

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