Pictured in January 2016 after an anonymous reader of The Voice gave £50,000 for a new minibus are (from left) volunteer and activities co-ordinator Joe Paduch, driver Phil O’Dell and residents Christine Parsons, Jennie McKinnon, Carol Shaw and Kevin Mahony.

Shock closure plan for disability home Hovenden House

Hovenden House at Fleet is to close this summer due to “considerable” repair costs.

Leonard Cheshire Disability is shutting the service which gives a range of nursing and residential care to 23 adults.
The future of the 42 staff is also uncertain.

A spokesperson for the charity said: “We always aim to offer the best quality service in modern accessible properties.
“Unfortunately the current building at Hovenden House needs major repairs and does not meet the standards of today. After close and careful consideration we have reached the difficult decision to close the service.

“We will now work with all of our residents and their families in association with the funding authority to help them choose their new home and support them throughout this process.
“We would also like to thank our dedicated staff for their ongoing commitment and we will work closely with them on their future options.”

Potential moves for residents to alternative Leonard Cheshire services and to other homes in the local area will be explored.

News of the closure on August 10 was greeted with shock and anger on The Voice’s Facebook page.
Sue Gardner posted: “So sad, I loved my 10 years there as care manager, such a wonderful place to work.”
Mary Richer posted: “So sad for the residents and the staff, many who have been there years. So unfair.”

The charity’s Stonecroft House in North Lincolnshire is also “no longer financially viable” and is closing.

The spokesperson said of the Fleet Victorian property: “We would face considerable costs to renovate and repair this Grade II listed building and maintaining the property is and will continue to be very challenging.”

The home’s latest report by the Care Quality Commission rated it “good”.

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