I AM writing to say how angry I am to hear that Devon County Council is withdrawing funding from the Family Centre in Okehampton, with the result that the centre is having to close.
The Family Centre has provided so much support to so many families over the years, mine included. We made lots of good friends and have many happy memories of times we spent there when the children were small.
The council says it will continue to support families through social services and the health visitors, but this is not the sort of help that is needed by most ordinary families. We simply need a place to meet and talk to other parents and provide support and help for each other with the everyday problems that all parents of small children have to deal with. Apart from this, the Family Centre also provides a toy library and nearly new clothing sales, various support groups, outings and events for families and the kidstime playscheme during the holidays, which last year offered places to 272 children.
All this will go if Devon County Council withdraws funding. So, everyone out there who has benefited from the Family Centre, and there are a lot of us! Write to the county council, write to your MP, make a noise. Don't let this happen!
Kate Molyneux
3 Fernhill Terrace, Northlew