Families 'heartbroken' at closure of day centre for adults with learning difficulties
Promote has been offering training and day support in Bangor since 2008
Last updated 26th Jan 2024
The dad of a young man with severe learning difficulties says his heart is broken over a decision to close a day centre in North Down.
Martin Bradley's son Joshua has severe learning difficulties and complex needs.
He has attended Promote in Bangor for over six years and has made lifelong friends.
The centre which is run by Action Mental Health and part funded by the South Eastern Trust is set to close at the end of March.
"When we went into this and joined Promote as a family we thought this was for life.
"It was a great relief to us to find a perfect place for our loved ones so that they could spend the rest of their adult life in an environment safe and secure, protected by the staff and just happy."
Martin and the other 51 families who have been affected are campaigning to stop the closure.
A petition launched just a week ago has already received over 4000 signatures.
Martin is calling on trust officials to meet families urgently:
"This is all these adults have, it's their way of life, it gives them a purpose in life, it gives them somewhere to go where they can meet their friends and talk and share experiences and learn vital new, important life skills.
"We're asking the trust that in preparation for our meeting next week, it is imperative that they strongly support us in meeting our sole objective which is to keep Promote open.
"I'm hoping come the 31st of March that there's 52 families are breathing a sigh of relief that this vital service will continue."
In a statement a spokesperson for the South Eastern Trust said: “Following the decision by Action Mental Health not to renew its contract for the Promote Day Opportunity Service in Bangor after the 31 March, the South Eastern Trust has been actively looking for alternative day opportunities for the service users who have been impacted.
"A number of organisations have already expressed an interest in providing a day opportunity for them.
"The Trust plans to meet the service users and their families in the near future, to explore the potential options available.
"We understand the distress the decision by Action Mental Health has had on the service users and we will support them as they move to an appropriate alternative service.”