Council must look at the big picture (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Council must look at the big picture

PROOF, if any were needed, that it would be short-sighted to hack money from Swindon's family centres is reported tonight.

The centres in West Swindon, Parks and Walcot could lose £50,000 each from Swindon Council as the council looks at its budget for next year.

Vicky Reid says West Swindon family centre helps her through the bad times when she feels she can't go on.

Because she was abused as a child, unfortunately there are plenty of bad times.

Usually, we wouldn't be able to identify Vicky in a story. As a victim of sexual abuse the law entitles her to anonymity for life. However, she feels so strongly about the threatened cuts that she has signed a letter waiving her anonymity because she wants to tell Swindon what the ramifications could be of closing the centre. Not only is she angry about the possible cuts, she is also very brave to speak out.

But Vicky is only one of many helped every week by volunteers and professionals at the centres.

For the sake of £150,000, it would be ridiculous to close the centres. In the long run, economically it will probably cost the council more in social services costs.

It is immoral to put these centres in jeopardy. If it wasn't clear before, Vicky Reid's story should make it obvious.