A multicultural day centre could be forced to close if Kingston Council pulls its funding next year.

The Milaap Centre, based in the council-owned care home, Murray House, in Acre Road, Kingston, has nurtured a multicultural environment for older people from diverse backgrounds for more than 25 years.

It has relied on a £1,000 yearly grant from the council and its own fundraising to deliver a programme of activities to elderly residents in the borough.

A council review of its funding could see the centre lose its previously allocated allowance, forcing closure.

Centre members attended a recent workshop run by Kingston Voluntary Action (KVA) on behalf of the council. They had hoped questions about funding would be answered.

Prabha Shetty, who helps manage the Milaap Centre, said: “Although many of us who attended this workshop thought we were going to get some answers to our anxiety-driven questions.

“It would be fair to say that we left the event with a fair bit of confusion.”

The Milaap Centre holds regular activities such as yoga, dancing and drawing classes for its members and organises day outings and home cooked meals. It aims to avoid isolation and encourage interaction.

The centre came under threat in October last year when Kingston Council announced a review of services at Murray House, but decided to continue supporting the service.

Manager of the Milaap Centre, Shantini Sangarabalan said that if the centre was forced to close, many of its members would have nowhere to go.

She said: “This is the fear for the members, they need to come to a place where they are comfortable, where they have buddies, they have activities and mental stimulation.”

Councillor Cathy Roberts, lead member for adults social care and health, said: “In Kingston we must prioritise very carefully to deliver the key services that people need.

“It is too early for any decisions regarding future funding arrangements.

“However, we expect an update in October.”

A petition has been set up to keep the Milaap Centre funded.Visit ipetitions.com/ petition/oneweare.