RELATIVES of residents at the Greathouse home in Kington Langley, which is closing its doors at the end of the month, say their loved ones’ grief at the loss of their home is so great it is as if the friends they will be losing as they all move out have died.

Anne Keat, of Rudloe, whose 44-year-old son Richard lived at Greathouse for 18 months before moving to Cote House in Chippenham on Friday (July 6) said the closure has triggered things to breaking point.

“The past few weeks have been nothing short of horrendous with residents and staff heartbroken and very tearful.

“The residents were called to a meeting on the 2nd of May. We were really hurt, the residents were in tears and there was nothing you could do about it.

“From day one all the residents were grieving. They are really upset and it is a lot for them to handle.

“Richard has been really quite ill, losing four and a half kilos in weight and really grieving as if someone had died.

“He was admitted to the RUH in Bath on June 26. He was as white as a sheet and he looked really ill.

“He did have a genuine diagnosis, severely anaemic, but we feel sure the Greathouse closure triggered things to breaking point.

“Richard is very tearful as his friends are moved miles away.

“Now people who have been friends for years can’t get together easily because of their disabilities.

“They were absolutely heartbroken, the whole thing has been badly handled.”

Box and Corsham Cllr Dr Brian Mathews, who visited residents at Greathouse after the closure was announced in May, said: “It is particularly sad because it is such a loving community, the staff and the residents, they get on so well.

“Residents shouldn’t be treated like objects that can just be moved around. They are people with emotions and friendships.

“It was still providing a really nice service and it had a lovely atmosphere. I think it is a great shame.”

A spokesman for Leonard Cheshire, said: "We cannot comment on or discuss the health of individual residents as this information is confidential.

"However, we recognise that the closure of Greathouse has been upsetting for residents, staff, relatives and volunteers.

"We have provided support to residents to enable them to visit and choose new homes.

"By the end of this week, 14 of the 21 residents will have moved to their new placements and we expect the remaining seven to move on within the next two weeks”.