Increase in cost of day centre visit hits hard

Ruby, of Buckhurst Road, goes to the voluntary day centre at St Peter's community centre every Wednesday morning and was stunned to learn the subscription had risen from 4 to 6.

There are six voluntary day centres for the elderly in Bexhill and all members have now been informed of the "necessary" increase in their contribution.

They were given a notice which claimed in the light of increasing costs, such as premises hire charges, diesel and minibus running costs, the subscription paid by members had increased to 6 per session.

Ruby contacted the Observer to say: "Help us make them change their minds...Another two pounds for someone living on the pension they get from the Government is an awful lot.

"Another friend goes to the Beulah Baptist voluntary day centre and she said they were all up in arms about it.

"We go there for the company - you mix with other people - and it gets you out. I feel that 2 is too much of a jump."

Ruby said: "I agree there has to be an increase, but fifty percent?

"Nothing has gone up fifty percent...Things have gone up, yes, but nothing by that much."

She described the increase as "presumptious" and added: "I am not saying I can't afford it. That is not it. But there are others there who are a little bit short of money. It might be alright for the first few weeks and then maybe they would have to drop out because they can't afford to go. But by that time it is too late to do anything about it."

Chairman of Bexhill Voluntary Day Care Centres Jill Halsall said the subscription increase was to be fully explained to committee members at a meeting on Wednesday, but added that rising costs of transport and hiring premises were to blame.