Severely depressed and disabled adults have spoken out about how a small charity has helped turn their lives around, as they attempt to stop the council from withdrawing ‘vital’ funding from the service.

Adults from all over Waltham Forest are hoping to save the Waltham Forest Disability Resource Centre in Crownfield Road, Leytonstone, from closure – fearing that without it they will be left isolated and alone.

The charity has operated since 1988, but may be forced to close when financial support from the council ends this month.

Waltham Forest council announced £100,000 of funding would cease as part of ongoing cuts due to reductions in central government grants.

However, the centre is calling on the council to honour a previous promise of ‘peppercorn’ rent to help them keep costs down.

 

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Peri Stanley and Heather Gower at the Disability Resource Centre said the council needs to honour a promise of 'peppercorn rent' made previously 

Now, members of the group have told their own personal stories.

Some, like Rene Dusara, 58, had their entire lives changed when they began classes.

“I was sitting on my bed, crying to myself and thinking what’s going to happen to us if we don’t have this place? Where are we going to go? My husband told me not to cry, that we’ll find something else but I’ll miss all my friends,” Rene added.

“I love this place and I’m really happy to come here and enjoy myself with other people.”

Gene Fenn, 83, was referred to the centre when she told her GP how depressed she was at home.

“You would never believe how much difference it’s made. I’m a different person again now. I got very morose and didn’t want to do anything, didn’t want to talk to anybody, you know, really depressed. But this has changed my life, thank God.”

 

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

WFDRC service users who have been depressed and isolated are calling on the council to reverse their funding decision

Rosina Price has been using the centre for six years since it was in Warner Road, Walthamstow.

She said: “There must be a way, they spend money on everything else so why the hell can’t they spend money on doing the things that are really needed. They seem to think that once you get old, that’s alright, just stick them indoors someone will look after them.

“But surely, we’ve paid out taxes, so in our old age why not at least give us something to look forward to. To be able to say ‘alright, I’ve got a life’.”

Wendy Reilly from Leytonstone said the service became a ‘lifeline’ for her mother after she lost her husband.

“The club has given her her confidence back; it’s helped her more than any anti depressant ever could.

“They are like a family there. Everyone that goes there looks out for each other. To take that away will seriously isolate them, they will have nothing.”

The centre has been running for 26 years and helps over 100 people every week.

A petition can be signed here.