EXCLUSIVE: 50 adult day centres closed in Scotland in the last decade
We can exclusively reveal that 50 adult day centres have closed across Scotland over the last year.
New figures that we have obtained from all 32 local authorities show hubs in all corners of the country have shut down in the last ten years.
The centres offer vital support for vulnerable people in communities, in particular elderly people and help tackle issues like loneliness and social isolation.
Here's a full list of the number of centres closed since 2008:
- Aberdeenshire - 6
- Inverclyde - 1
- Renfrewshire - 3
- East Dumbartonshire - 2
- Glasgow - 7
- East Renfrewshire - 1
- North Ayrshire - 2
- East Ayrshire - 3
- South Ayrshire - 1
- Falkirk - 3
- Midlothian - 1
- Edinburgh - 4
- Fife - 2
- Dundee - 1
- Angus - 5
- Moray - 1
- Argyll and Bute - 1
- Perth and Kinross - 3
- Scottish Borders - 2
- Shetland - 1
Charities are often left to deal with growing demand in local communities.
Manager of charity 'Age Concern Glenrothes' says it is essential that they pick up the pieces and offer support to those who need it most: "For some people they genuinely only get out once a week when they come here. Also built in to that is the important point of resbite. It gives their family members and carers a break aswell.
"Old people don't like change. People really worry they won't be able to meet their friends, they'll lose out in some way and they won't have that interaction with people."
Jim Slack is in his 70's and attends a weekly group at charity 'Age Concern Glenrothes': "It's good because everybody talks, has a bit of a laugh and that's what I need."
We've contacted the Scottish Government for a response.