3:47pm Saturday 1st September 2007
The closure of Springboard Resource Centre for people with mental health problems has been called "the worst cut I have seen" by Edward Davey MP.
The Kingston MP also appealed with people with financial skills to help set up a sheltered work scheme similar to Springboard as a social enterprise. The service trains people who have mental health issues with vocational skills, such as carpentry and printing.
Among its customers is Councillor Shiraz Mirza, the mayor of Kingston, who gets his stationery printed there.
Mr Davey said: "It seems as if they are not going to change their mind. I am more pessimistic about the health service than I ever have been. But I believe Springboard can be set up as a social enterprise and I want to explore that option."
South West London and St George's Mental Health Trust (SWLSG) opted to close down the centre because it had to pass on £1million of savings to Kingston Primary Care Trust to help stem the PCT's debts.
But one of the reasons Mr Davey is shocked by this decision is because he says there is no alternative provision for Springboard's clients.
He said: "This is the worst cut I have seen. Most cuts result in some kind of alternative provision.
"In this case, there is nothing for the service users to go on to, and they will probably end up at home on the sofa and on medication."
After meeting several organisations such as Kingston Voluntary Action and the Fircroft Trust, Mr Davey has learnt more about the practicalities of encouraging such an arrangement, but he said that financial skills were needed.
He said: "To make this happen we need people with financial knowledge who can help us put together a financial plan. If there is anyone who wants to put something back into the community they should come forward and contact me. We must save Springboard."
A spokeswoman for SWLSG said: "Over the next six months we will also be working with each service user to assess their health and social care needs and to identify alternative community provision."
If you can help Mr Davey, email reporter Lisa Williams at lisaw@london.newsquest.co.uk or call 020 8330 9550.
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