A charity that supports people with brain injuries and other disabilities has slammed council chiefs over facilities at a new £150,000 hub. Kickstart with Hope claims the new Hub Alkrington, in Middleton, is scruffy, uninviting and not fit for disabled people to use.
The group is carrying on the work of the Moving On service - which was based at the Hardfield Road building prior to its overhaul and relaunch - albeit without council adult care staff. The authority was condemned by Healthwatch Rochdale for making people feel ‘worthless’ during a consultation that led to the closure of the service, while the ombudsman said the exercise was not ‘satisfactory’ and ordered an apology.
The new Hub Alkrington officially reopened in July and is intended as a ‘one-stop’ shop enabling adults to access a range of wellbeing and care services. Home to organisations such as HMR Circle, Mind and Your Trust bosses have hailed it as ‘an innovative community facility’ that will ‘grow’ to provide ‘quality services’ for vulnerable people.
READ MORE : Care bosses insist £150K hub revamp will provide 'value for money services'
