Public support for Cauwood Day Centre in Malton grows

Families, councillors and supporters gathered in Malton Market Place on Saturday to demonstrate their support for Cauwood Day Centre and collect further signatures for the petition opposing its proposed closure.

The petition has now reached 1,200 signatures – with support growing every day.

The campaign is being led by parents Caroline Garrod and Stuart Moss, alongside North Yorkshire Councillor Keane Duncan.

It has also secured backing from Kevin Hollinrake MP, the mayors of Malton, Norton and Pickering, Ryedale Special Families and councillors from across the political divide, including Joy Andrews (Pickering), and Steve Mason (Ampleforth and Amotherby).

Cauwood Day Centre, based in Old Malton Road, provides specialist support for disabled adults with complex needs and is described by families as a “vital lifeline”.

Cllr Keane Duncan said: “We are united for Cauwood and standing together as a community with the vulnerable people and families who rely on this vital service.

“Thank you to everyone who has signed the petition so far. The strength of support from across Ryedale and beyond has been overwhelming.

“North Yorkshire Council initially planned to close Cauwood Day Centre without any consultation whatsoever. We believed that was deeply flawed, unfair and potentially unlawful.

“Efforts by families, councillors and the wider community secured a very welcome reprieve – but the fight to save Cauwood is far from over.

“We are incredibly grateful to our MP, councillors, town mayors and charities for their support. It can be unusual for politicians to agree across the political divide, so this support shows the importance of Cauwood.

“We would also like thank every single one of the 1,200 people who have now signed the petition. The message is clear: Cauwood is needed, valued, and must be saved.”

Kevin Hollinrake MP said: “I pay tribute to the determination of this campaign, led by parents Caroline and Stuart, alongside Cllr Keane Duncan, who have worked tirelessly to highlight the importance of the services provided by Cauwood Day Centre.

“With more than 1,200 people now backing the petition, it is clear there is deep concern about the proposed closure without any consultation or plan for alternative provision.

“I am pleased to support this cross-party effort and will continue pressing for assurances that these vital services will continue. At present, it is far from clear how that will be achieved if the council’s closure plans proceed.”

Parent Caroline Garrod said: “We’re not giving up on the fight. We’re keeping on going until they accept that this facility is needed and must be saved.”

Jason Aldrich, Mayor of Malton, said: “Vulnerable residents and their families deserve stability, dignity and proper support – not the sudden withdrawal of essential services.

“We are united at Malton Town Council in our condemnation of this decision.

“It is astounding that the proposal was put forward without proper consultation with families and carers who would be devastated by the impact of the proposed closure.

“Malton will not stand by while vital care is taken away from those in our community who are in the most need.”

Mayor of Norton, Cllr Di Keal said: “This closure will have a wholly detrimental impact on users who suffer from physical disabilities, alongside their parents and/or carers. There are no facilities with the specialised equipment and staff to client ratio available in Malton and Norton that their loved ones with moderate to severe conditions could attend as an alternative facility. They will inevitably be forced to travel to access such specialised care, which is unacceptable for the service users and their families.

“Many parents of users of the centre are older residents of our towns and describe Cauwood as a ‘lifeline’ for them in the sometimes difficult and physically demanding circumstances of caring for an adult disabled person.

“If the centre were to close, and no suitable alternative provided, this will place an even greater emotional and physical strain on these families, which could lead to a crisis requiring more serious intervention from social services and the NHS. This closure is a false economy.”

Parent Stuart Moss said: “Our fight to keep Cauwood open is so important because it’s a vital lifeline to me as a parent and to Matthew as one of the service users.

“The news of this potential closure is devastating, and that’s why we must fight to stop this decision.”

Heidi Ridgewell, family support worker at Ryedale Special Families, said: “Cauwood provides a valuable service for adults in the Ryedale area.

“There is nothing else of its type. Sensory rooms, Changing Places toilet — these are facilities that have had a lot of investment put into them and we would hate to see it close.

“Where are these young adults going to go? That’s an answer no one is getting. Ryedale is very rural. Cauwood is very unique and at present there is no plan B.”

North Yorkshire Council has said it is committed to supporting people across the county with a wide range of care services and our priority is making sure adults with learning disabilities, autism or other care needs.

Campaigners are encouraging more residents to sign the petition, available here: form.jotform.com/cllrkeaneduncan/save-cauwood