Closure of a Croydon drop-in carer center sparks worry. A petition is started; residents fear losing a key support space.
The council changed care providers, ending the center’s 25-year partnership with the John Whitgift Foundation (JWF). People want the center to stay open and have started a petition.
The JWF ran the center since 2013, assisting nearly 10,000 carers. They received advice, form assistance, and bereavement counseling. The center, a ‘one-stop shop’, also offered phone and email support.
The Carers Café is a place where carers relax and share stories, run by volunteers three days a week. Many view it as more than a café. Closure rumors caused public anger and the council has confirmed closure, but the date is not yet announced.
The council chose Carers First for adult carer support, Croydon Mind for mental health care, and Off the Record for counseling. The new contracts start April 1. The council says it consulted carers.
The JWF is disappointed by the change, having supported Croydon carers for years, and wishes Carers First well. The council says carer jobs are safe and that this change is not about saving money.
The council assured a future in-person center exists, with Carers First seeking locations. Current staff can apply for the new contract, though residents see another loss of public space.
Jackie Arnold, a regular at the café, is deeply troubled by the proposed closure. She says it’s a lifeline for carers to connect and support each other.
The petition has over 800 signatures. People share stories about the center, and Christine Fisher says it helps area carers. The mayor states services will still exist and thanks the JWF for its service.