A letter from the heart... (From Free Press Series)

A letter from the heart...

Today we print a letter from Daniel, a regular user of Ty Nant Ddu. His life is set to be affected by the changes that will take place at the centre - unless his heartfelt plea is heard.

Dear Free Press,

MY NAME is Daniel King and I live in Pontnewydd, Cwmbran. I used to be a painter and decorator but, while working in Holland, (Aug 2001) I had a serious accident. I fell 30ft off a ladder on to my head and was lucky to survive.

I am no longer able to work and have been attending Ty Nant Ddu since May 2002. This is very important in my life.

Ty Nant Ddu has been there for me since coming out of hospital. IT HAS BEEN MY ROCK.

I know everyone there and have made a lot of mates from the mixture of people who attend. These clients are young and old with physical or mental differences, some are unable to speak or hear tidy. The changes planned mean that I will lose my friends, all the facilities that I enjoy now. I will lose my 'safety zone.'

The changes will affect everyone at the centre and the majority of clients do not want these changes.

I have campaigned to stop the changes by writing letters to the Prime Minister (twice), the Assembly and Torfaen council. I've written to councillors, BBC Wales and I have now written to the Free Press.

I feel angry, frustrated, ignored, invisible and uncertain about this situation because no one wants to listen to my views.

WE CLIENTS FEEL WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN NO REAL ALTERNATIVE OF WHERE WE WANT TO GO.

WE HAVE A LEGAL RIGHT AND WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A TRUE CHOICE. WE DON'T WANT A 'TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT'.

Daniel King is worried the changes could hinder his progress, after he learned to speak and walk again, after a devastating accident almost four years ago.

His determination to save the centre led him on a six-month letter writing campaign, involving correspondence with Tony Blair and the National Assembly.

Daniel is now even considering writing to Bill Gates, because "If I had the money I could make sure it stayed as it is," he said.

"The changes will affect everyone at Ty Nant Ddu as it will be used for a different purpose and the clients will have to have a different service. The majority of clients do not want these changes. Many feel they will lose friends they have had for years."

Daniel has been at the centre for three years and takes part in various activities such as woodwork, computers, and recreational and leisure activities.

He said that proposed changes will not suit him. "At Ty Nant Ddu, the things I do revolve around my needs at the time and how I feel. It is a brilliant centre and we do not want to go other places."

Although there are no plans to close Ty Nant Ddu, services there will change.

Torfaen social services carried out a lengthy consultation process after claiming that numbers at traditional day centres, were dwindling and council members voted in favour of the re-organisation.

However Daniel feels he and other clients have been ignored and have not been consulted adequately.

He went to the meetings discussing the proposals, but he said: "I was unable to understand what they were waffling on about."

He disputes falling numbers at the centre. A register he conducted showed the number of people at Ty Nant Ddu ranged from 36 to 53 throughout the week.

If there has been a drop in numbers attending the centre Daniel blames the 'uncomfortable' transport - the number of buses tailored to disabled users has fallen and now there is just one. Another two buses take people to the centre, but Daniel said they have no access for wheelchair users.

At a meeting of Pontypool Community Council day activities project manager for Torfaen, Maria Evans said that TY Nant Ddu would continue as a day centre for the next 12 months, changing to a community venue, serving people with mental health needs. It would also house the High Needs Support Team.

Ms Evans said: "We were aware of the overwhelming opposition to the proposed closure of Ty Nant Ddu last year and that is why is being kept communitybased."