I AM writing to express my disappointment, frustration and utter horror at the proposed cuts to be implemented at the Re:d Centre on Morley Street, Bury.

This centre was purpose-built only three-and-a-half years ago to offer support to children, young people, and their families who have disabilities. Since completion, the Re:d Centre has offered such support to hundreds of families through its youth opportunity groups, short breaks, befriending service, drop-in facilities, education advice and support, coffee afternoons, parent-and-toddler group, Informe database, educational courses and many more services.

For many of the children and young people the time they spend at the Re:d Centre is the only chance they have to relax, make friends and talk in a totally children-focused forum. In fact the Re:d Centres motto is 'Children First'.

Also for many families it is their only chance to relax, to make time for other siblings or gain support from other families in the same situation as themselves. For many of the families it is the only help they receive, and it is often just enough to avert real crisis!

Have the councillors who voted for these cuts not considered the long-term implications? What happens when these families are finally unable to cope?

It costs up to £100,000 to care for a child in an out-of-borough placement. The cost of family breakdown and a child ending up in long-term care will far exceed the cost to the council that the Re:d Centre incurs supporting such families. Not to mention the emotional cost of the distress and devastation that these families will be forced to bear.

To add insult to injury, these cuts come hot on the heel of an expensive new communications system being installed in social services departments. Who on earth prioritised these spends? New phone system versus helping families in crisis!

The staff at the Re:d Centre are a dedicated team of professionals who are committed to supporting these families and all the children and young people they work with so let them do their job.

The children, young people and families who access the Re:d Centre are all deserving of, and needing, the services they receive. Now all this is under threat.

Are we going to take this lying down? Or are we going to fight for services in Bury that are a vital lifeline for our most vulnerable children, young people and their families?

ANGRY AND DISILLUSIONED