The BIG Debate

Care Shangton

Care Shangton near Market Harborough was set up 35 years ago to provide accommodation, training and work opportunities for about 50 people with learning disabilities.

But now Care, the charity which runs the complex, has said it is going to provide more community-based facilities, which will attract greater funding.

It's expected that Care Shangton will close within three years.

Listen: The BIG Debate: Residential or Community Care?

Listen to The BIG Debate in full...

The centre operates within the government's new strategy called 'Valuing People', and it has been proposed that the services provided for people with learning difficulties should be more geared towards an individual's needs.

Listen: Background - Care Shangton

BBC Leicester's Ben Jackson and Kay Wright round-up the different sides of the argument...

Residents and Relatives

The residents and relatives are not happy with the decision to close Care Shangton, as many of them have made it their home and want to remain in residential care.

Listen to two different views - one mother is worried about her son's future, while others believe that community-based care is better...

What does the change really mean?

At the moment Care Shangton provides residential care. Residential care is for people who cannot continue living in their own home, even with support from home care services.

They can stay in residential care for a short time, over a longer period or permanently. They stay in a comfortably furnished place and the staff are usually available 24 hours a day.

The new plan for the residents once Care Shangton closes is for community-supported living.

The Supported Living Service aims to provide individualised support to people with a learning difficulties, complex and/or challenging needs, mental health needs and/or physical disabilities.

It enables them to live in their own homes, participate and be included in their community, and to take control of their lives and be able to choose their own life path using a person-centred approach.

Find out more about the two different kinds of care:

Residents' Comments

The following comments are from residents of Care Shangton gathered by Central England People First, an organisation run and controlled by people with learning difficulties, for BBC Leicester:

"I think it is a shock to everybody. I've been here since it opened. I miss the bus coming here on a Saturday. Don't think they should do this to us. We've all written notices about it. They're down the bottom. It's nice here. It's near to my friend. I would miss all my friends. I've got a boyfriend. We're engaged I'm still upset now."

"Don't close this down. I live here and I want to keep it open."

"I live here. I want to help the staff. I have a handsome boyfriend. Got to stay here to look after him. I work in the craft shop."

"We had a meeting yesterday and I was told by several parents that it will not be closing down. I love my cottage. I have got all my friends here. I work in Market Harborough and do drama."

"I don't want it to close down. I enjoy it here.

"It's rotten isn't it? Why should a place as nice as this have to close. It closing like this should never happen. I don't care what that clown says I ain't going. Over my dead body. Telling us in that hall it's not good enough ok."

"I don't want to move. I like it here. It's our land. Not sold it."

"I come in daily. I would be sorry if the garden fetes weren't there and things.Got all the workshops around. Still got lots of friends here. I am just wondering why it has to close. The meeting was a bit heated last week between residents and management and things. Shock of it closing. It is the ones that have been here the longest I feel sorry for."

Have Your Say: Care Shangton

What do you think about the changes being made? Have your say on the BBC Leicester message board...