Redbridge Council cuts funding for Ilford disabled charity

Disabled Asian Women’s Network (DAWN) was set up in 1993 to offer care and counselling for the elderly, disabled and vulnerable members of Ilford’s Asian community.

Funding has always been provided by the council but after 30 years this is being retracted.

The Recorder has seen a letter from council leader Kam Rai, confirming the charity has been told its funding will be stopped.

A council spokesperson said the authority’s financial plight meant the “difficult” decision has had to be made.

Project leader Neelam Pahl told the Recorder she felt the council’s action had been dismissive.

“We have a day centre, we run cultural activities, we take them (members) out and about, even help them to fill out forms. We also hold health awareness talks and workshops.

“Now all these things are going to disappear.”

She said it is a group for “highly vulnerable” over 60s of different ethnic minorities, many of whom live alone and do not have language skills or internet access.

DAWN has been in operation since 1993 (Image: Neelam Pahl) Neelam added: “The sudden cut from the council with little warning is not what we expected from Redbridge – we are shocked. 

“It’s very dismissive, especially in light of the unique and great service that we have proudly been providing on their behalf all these years.”

Members of DAWN were already concerned over the national scrapping of winter fuel payments, Neelam said, and the news from the council has only enhanced their worries. 

“If we are no longer there, I do not know what will happen to them. They are just as worried as us – they do not want the centre to close.

DAWN offers a range of services such as providing food, counselling and educational workshops (Image: Neelam Pahl) “They’re going to die early if they’re left indoors with no stimulation and no incentive to go out. We do park walks and exercises to keep them active.

“If there’s no stimulation and no way of them getting together, what on earth is expected? For them to die?”

DAWN caters for more than 90 members who visit across Tuesdays and Wednesdays each week. The charity is based at the Cardinal Heenan Centre, in High Road, Ilford.

“We have contacted our local MP and the leader of the council but we don’t know what else to do,” explained Neelam.

“I know the council’s hands are tied and it’s a sorry situation all round but really they have a responsibility to take care of the elderly population of Redbridge.

DAWN has more than 90 members on its list who visit across Tuesdays and Wednesdays (Image: Neelam Pahl) “At the end of the day, the council should be serving the local community who have paid their way through life but to be thrown down the rubbish heap like this is not a good way to deal with the public.”

DAWN held a Christmas party in December at Kanchans, an Indian restaurant in Perth Road.

Neelam said that what was supposed to be a time of celebration and festivities was overshadowed by the fear of this being the members’ last Christmas together.

“They were all saying that it could be their last Christmas together, hugging each other, exchanging phone numbers.

“Friendships build up through the charity, likeminded people want to talk to each other about their worries, their children, their grandchildren. Who will they talk to now?”

The charity is based in Ilford (Image: Neelam Pahl) Neelam said she has volunteered her whole life and understood the need for each service in the borough.

“Every service is important in Redbridge. I believe every service is needed and if you cut one off, it’s like cutting an arm off a person leaving them disjointed and not knowing what to do.

“If we try to find funding for ourselves, it’s going to take months and it won’t be consistent. We wouldn’t be able to give our best to our members.

“We could end up having to charge members who are already on benefits. We’d have to charge them to come in, make them pay for their lunch and refreshments, pay for their trips out.”

A petition has been launched and has received more than 700 signatures, according to Neelam who has vowed to “fight for our members”.

A Redbridge Council spokesperson said: “This is not a decision that has been taken lightly. The council’s financial situation is such that difficult decisions have had to be taken and cannot be delayed.

“Over the past 14 years, government austerity has significantly impacted Redbridge. We have lost more than 54p for every £1 of government grant funding, resulting in a loss of over £150 million to spend on local services each year.

“Redbridge is now the fourth-lowest funded London council, yet we face the same issues and problems as many inner London boroughs.

“As part of the process, council officers recently met with the Disabled Asian Women’s Network to explain in detail why we had no choice but to make this difficult decision and to offer advice on how they could access other funding sources.

“We also took the opportunity to express our sincere thanks for the invaluable work they have delivered over the years with residents.”