A FREE night centre giving support to carers of elderly people has been saved from closure.

Age Concern Bexley has stepped in to take over the running of the centre, based at the Upton Day Hospital, in Upton Road, Bexleyheath, from Bexley Association of Carers for the Elderly (ACE). It has been agreed a budget of £90,000 a year will be paid to the centre for the next three years.

Bexley ACE, a support group for carers, announced in September it was folding because all the officers were resigning and no one had been found to take their places. And it was feared the night centre, which provided a vital service for carers, would close with it.

Staff and volunteers collect elderly dementia sufferers from their homes and drive them to the centre where they play games, have their hair done and are fed and looked after. The next morning they are taken back home. The service is run on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

"We are pleased to be able to ensure this service continues, and to ensure carers still have the opportunity for at least one good night's sleep a week," said Phill Watson, Age Concern's chief officer.

A re-evaluation of local needs is being done but in the meantime Age Concern is also taking over ACE's advocacy and support service until the end of March.

December 4, 2001 12:30