Holcroft House closure: Families protest outside care home

Families of residents living at Holcroft House say the closure will have a detrimental effect on their loved ones.

More than a dozen people gathered outside the Thornhill home on Thursday night to protest the plans.

"The council brought these problems upon themselves, but vulnerable people must deal with the consequences of their total incompetence," said campaigner Lisa Stead.

From L-R: Keith Morrell, Lisa Stead, Amanda Guest, and Linda Hayes (Image: Newsquest)

The 52-year-old from Southampton was one of 15 gathered outside the home in protest of the plans.

She said: “I find it astonishing the Labour council come for the most vulnerable in society time and time again.

“My mum has dementia and is in another home, but my concern is that if she needs to move, Holcroft would be the natural progression.

“If the council thinks we are going to roll over and go away, that’s not going to happen.”

READ MORE: Families hit out at 'devastating' plans to close Holcroft House 

The 34-bed residential home is under threat of closure after a fire safety assessment in 2021 identified several issues.

Cllr Lorna Fielker, deputy leader and Cabinet member for health, revealed the extent of the work needed at a recent scrutiny meeting.

She said the home – the last council-owned facility in the city – would have to be "practically knocked down and rebuilt to make it in line with the modern standards that are expected".

Doing this would cost in the region of £4.5m, Cllr Fielker said.

But for siblings Debbie Edmonds, 54, and Ali Headley, 57, the closure of the home will be fatal for their mother, Gillian Smith.

Debbie Edmonds and Ali Headley (Image: Newsquest)

Ms Smith, 78, has lived at the home for eight years.

The home is "all she’s ever known".

Debbie, her youngest daughter, said: “Mum will die.

“This is her home; she’s lived here for eight years and doesn’t know any different.

"Moving her to a completely different place will affect her.

“The home is big enough for the council to carry out the work without having to move anyone.

“We sleep better because mum is cared for here.”

Ali added: “We don’t want mum to go anywhere else. This is her home.

“The council always goes about things the wrong way.”

Linda Hayes, a fellow campaigner, is keen to shine a light on the issue on behalf of the care home residents.

The 54-year-old said: “They have no voice and they have no choice.

“Moving residents from place to place will have serious consequences, and that’s what we’re concerned about.”

A consultation on the future of Holcroft House ended on August 23.

A decision is expected at a cabinet meeting on September 19.

Councillor Lorna Fielker, deputy leader of the council, said: “A public consultation on the future of Holcroft House took place from June 1 to August 23 2023, during which three meetings were held with the families, carers and advocates of residents in the home.

"A decision on the future of the home is due to be made at a Cabinet meeting on September 19 and details of the options and next steps will be published in the Cabinet papers next week."