A mother has taken it upon herself to encourage residents to take part in a consultation asking for views on the future of a home.

Dolley White, who is a member of Minster Parish Council, is asking people who live or work on the Island to share their views on Blackburn Lodge in Broadway, Sheerness, which specialises in dementia and Alzheimer’s care.

Kent County Council (KCC) - which runs and maintains the home - launched a three-month scheme aimed at gathering opinions of the facility in January.

The authority is proposing to move to a model where people can be cared for in their own homes - dubbed Housing with Care.

But Ms White, who is part of a pressure group aimed at preventing any future closure of the home is calling on people to share their views.

She said: “We’ve got a high contingent of people on the Island who might need to rely on the services Blackburn Lodge offer in the future.

“No one realises that they’re going to need their support until they do.

“It seems like KCC has been winding down the number of places available at Blackburn Lodge, because it has a low occupancy rate.

“If people can support us doing this it would be a huge help.

“Filling out the form isn’t easy for some people but it is so important everyone gets the opportunity to take part in the consultation.”

Copies of the document have been left in several areas; at the home itself, West Minster Primary School in St Georges Avenue, Sheerness, and libraries in Worcester Close, Minster, and also at The Sheppey Gateway in Sheerness High Street.

KCC officers insist the home needs to be brought up to date with alterations including ensuite rooms.

However, it is thought private toilets would not be suitable for people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s as they would not be safe for patients to use by themselves.

Ms White also held a session at the Sheppey Gateway in Sheerness High Street on Tuesday, March 3, to talk people through how to fill out the consultation.

A KCC spokesman said: “The consultation still has over a month to run and we do not release information during the period that it is live.”

For the opportunity to view and comment on the consultation, visit www.kent.gov.uk/blackburnlodgeconsultation before March 31.

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