The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
On September 9, 2022 the Ivo Day Centre was closed to the public as a safe venue for all sorts of daily, weekly and monthly groups to use.
It was also closed to the public for hire on a single event basis such as a children’s party or a family event.
It was closed for training groups from all walks of life including the public services and health and safety training for carers both in the industry of care and family carers.
We can no longer celebrate the way we used to, annual festivals like Christmas, Easter and Halloween, there will be no more pantomimes, no more parties.
I still regret that we were unable to stop this closure, the Ivo Day Centre was an integral part of the service to the community of South Holland, purpose built, it was taken from them without an apology or a chance to plead our cause.
There was no published regret or recognition of the 39 years of service that had been provided.
We have been incredibly lucky to find an alternative venue to be able to continue the work of the Ivo Charity, and we will be ever grateful for the support of the Quakers of Spalding for their generous help.
However, I want Lincolnshire County Council and South Holland District Council to realise just how much has been lost to the groups that used that fabulous safe place.
Some have disbanded, some are smaller than they used to be, and some have had their activities much reduced.
Those of you who knew it well, remember not only the lovely building with plenty of parking and a garden which provided seclusion and privacy, but also the friendly atmosphere, and the warm welcome to everyone.
We can’t go back, so we have to look to the future, and I hope all our old clients know we are still there for them.
I wish you all best wishes for the future.
Sue Croucher
Ivo Resource Centre
Spalding
