Future of day centre in doubt
Concern in the Newport community
The future for the provision of a range of quality of life services currently available for the elderly in the region has been cast into serious doubt.
Serving the community in the region for more than four decades, the continuation of the services at Newport Day Care Centre has reached a crisis point for the Board of Directors.
Chairman of the Board of Management, Finnbar O'Shea has confirmed that the continued running of the centre was discussed at the recent Annual General Meeting where concerns were expressed.
“There is no point in denying that the future of the running of the centre is now in serious doubt unless there are more people from the community who are willing to volunteer to become involved,” he said bluntly.
“In advance of the AGM we appealed for more volunteers to join, but we didn't get one. We have reached a situation that makes it very difficult to continue as we are,” he added.
“The centre has to be run as a business and we are operated under a Board of Management. We are looking for people with business expertise to join the board but there are no volunteers,” he explained.
It is understood that the regulations governing the running of the centre require rotation of officers for compliance, and unless there is renewal of board membership rotation of officers will not be possible.
“We have asked a number of people in the community if they are willing to join the board, but they have declined because of their current commitments they explained that they would not have the time,” added Finnbar.
The centre was established more than four decades ago and has provided a very valuable, and much appreciated, service to the elderly community of the region, which is widely availed of.
While the manager and staff at the centre are employed under the HSE, with salaries being paid by the HSE, the day to day administration and running of the centre is the responsibility of the Board of Management.
In addition to the many services, provided at the centre to enhance the quality of life for the elderly attending the centre, a service for the preparation and delivery of hot lunches daily to many more at their own homes, Monday-Friday is also provided.