Council Passes Motion to Support Disabled Residents Post-Sandpipers Closure

A motion brought by Cambridge Ward Councillor Mike Sammon to push for more to be done to support people with disabilities and their carers following the closure of Sandpipers, was passed at last night’s Council.

The Council agreed to support the ongoing development of a respite strategy for Sefton residents and to offer support for those that worked at Sandpipers to find new jobs and volunteering opportunities.

Revitalise Sandpipers was opened in 1988 and over many years helped many people with disabilities and their carers get respite care. The charity closed in November due to funding issues with the charity also warning the government about the critical state of affairs in the social care sector.

Mike Sammon said: “I saw at first had the amazing and essential work that Sandpipers do for people. It was a very special place and its closure will have a big impact on both the residents and their families that came to rely on it, and the people that worked there. Its closure has also put a spotlight on the struggling care sector and the need to protect other Southport residents.

“I am pleased that the Council has supported my motion. I will now be holding them to account in their promise to come up with a long-term strategy to help protect disabled people and their families get respite care. Sandpipers was the last remaining provider of respire holidays for people with complex needs and there needs to be a plan and proper funding to create a new future of this vital service.”

“I am disappointed that the Labour run council didn’t agree to a big part of the motion that I put forward, which was to write to the government to request that a new respite care holiday centre is established in Southport. I’ll continue to fight for a reasonable replacement for Sandpipers.”

Leo Evans, Councillor in Cambridge Ward, added “The closure of Revitalise is just a symptom of a broader problem. A care system that is on the brink of collapse, a care system that at times feels anything but caring. The government have an opportunity to reform social care but a three year wait for the Casey commission may be too little far too late.” 

Photograph attached is of Cllrs Leo Evans and Mike Sammon outside Sandpipers