Greenwood Place Consultation: The Greenwood Action Group have their say
Following Camden Council's consultation on their proposals to redevelop the Greenwood Place site, the Greenwood Action Group today published their formal response to the consultation - which you can read here.
In addition, the Camden Society, in partnership with DISC (Disability in Camden), The Advocacy Project and Camden People First have also published and submitted an alternative proposal which we hope Camden will consider and take forward - read more about this exciting proposal for a Centre for Independent Living in Camden here.
Both documents are dedicated to preserving and enhancing Greenwood Place as a place to be, learn, do and socialise for people with disabilities and are underpinned by a strong belief that a Centre for Independent Living would be a wonderful resource for Camden.
The consultation
Camden began to consult on their plans in September. At the moment, Greenwood Place is used by many different groups of people with learning disabilities. Camden's proposals for Greenwood Place include closing five current day centres in the borough and redeveloping the Greenwood Centre to accommodate a new resource - a Centre for Independent Living.
Besides this, Camden also want to see people with disabilities sharing services and meeting spaces at Greenwood Place with several other groups of people in Camden - people who will see their own day centres close - as well as local residents in Kentish Town.
The Greenwood Action Group: Their Response
The Greenwood Action Group has formed as a result of the consultation. It includes: Camden People First; Our Group, Your Group; Health Matters; the Camden Society's Community & Leisure Services; Choices retirement project; Mail Out; SURGe; Camden Easy Info Group; the Training People Team; Greenwood Dance Group and the Greenwood UK online centre.
Key points in the group's response:
- The Greenwood Action Group says 'No' to Camden's proposals
- People want a centre that is for people with disabilities only - a centre that is also run by disabled people
- The group are very clear that they don't want the Council to take away what they already have and like
- People feel that placing older people with dementia, young people with autism, people with mental ill health and people with learning and physical disabilities all together in one building will create many difficulties
- People who use the Greenwood centre are worried that they would not be allowed back to use a new centre without them having to pay for it. This would come at a time when people with disabilities are having their services and benefits cut. People are worried that they would be excluded from any new centre because they can't afford to pay.
Find out more
The Greenwood Action Group has so much more to say in their easy read document. Download it using the link below:
The Greenwood Action Group Consultation Response - December 2011