Campaign started to reopen St Ives Day Care Centre

A campaign has started in West Cornwall to reopen a day centre which closed in March for financial reasons.

The former manager of St Ives Day Care Centre (SIDCC) wants to reopen the facility using volunteers and funding from local businesses.

Jackie Holden, said people were ready to volunteer and local businesses would provide some financial support.

Deputy chair of SIDCC Trustees, Colin Sanger said: "It could not open as a centre as we knew it."

Financial loss

Ms Holden said: "We've got a group who are made up from the St Ives business community and they are going to support the centre on a voluntary basis.

"We've also got funding and we'll be working with Volunteer Cornwall."

People who used SIDCC, now attend Hayle Day Care Centre (HDCC) which is five miles (8.04km) away.

Mr Sanger said: "The reason we closed in the first place was because we could not increase the client base, and our expenditure exceeded the income."

I'm happier here than anywhere else Harry Emory, client

"We were told that we would have to close on our current income so bringing it back as a day centre will not happen."

"The majority of the clients are now very happy in Hayle," he added.

Former clients of SIDCC are divided over the campaign.

Molly Riley said: "I used it for six years, and it was a lifeline.

"We use the Hayle Day Centre, and they're really wonderful to us, but it's on a much bigger scale."

But Harry Emory said: "I'm very happy here and wouldn't go back. I'm happier here than anywhere else."

There are currently two day centres in the Penwith area of Cornwall.

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