Around 70% of people in the North West with learning disabilities have had care services decreased during the coronavirus pandemic.
A survey by learning disability charities Mencap and Sense found the decrease in support has left families struggling and, in some cases, at breaking point.
At the start of the coronavirus pandemic, support and activities for people with disabilities were cut back or closed, and many of those services have still not resumed.
For adults with disabilities, meeting their friends and maintaining some independence has never been more critical.
More than 250 adults with severe disabilities have continued to attend the service throughout lockdown.
Some day centres have kept their doors open throughout lockdown to help keep families together.
Families have had to make the difficult decision of whether to send their loved ones to centres or to shield them away from the coronavirus pandemic.
“This place is the centre of my world. Without this, I would be lost”. said Councillor Eleanor Wills, responsible for health and social care in Tameside thinks these services are vital.
“Community services like this are imperative to ensure our adults can keep stability within their lives, ensure they have a routine, offer respite for families, we’ve had to put bubbles in place to ensure people are safe, safety has been paramount” said Eleanor.
