Plaid AM raises concerns of increasing loneliness in Swansea due to proposed Day Centre charges

Plaid Cymru AM Dai Lloyd has today raised concerns around proposed elderly Day Centre charges in Swansea with the First Minister.

During today’s First Minister’s Questions session Dr. Lloyd asked Carwyn Jones whether he agreed that introducing Day Centre charges to such an extent would risk increasing loneliness and isolation within the city.

Dr. Lloyd has already written to Swansea Council Leader Rob Stewart outlining his concerns around the proposal to introduce a £40 charge for elderly people to attend Council-run Day Centres.

During today’s question session at the Assembly, Dr. Lloyd also urged the Welsh Government to review charges across Wales to ensure that these types of Day Centres remain accessible.

Dai Lloyd stated:

“The proposal by Swansea Council, not just to introduce charges for Day Centres in the County, but to set them at a level of £40 per day is concerning, particularly as many older people rely on these Day Centres.

“These Day Centres enable them to socialise and to feel part of their local communities, and the Welsh Government need to be taking a far more proactive role in ensuring that Day Centres across Wales are accessible.”

Dr. Lloyd added:

“The National Assembly’s Health and Social Care Committee which I Chair recently looked into the issue of loneliness and isolation among our elderly population, and it was clear that Council-run Days Centres such as these play a key role in supporting that agenda.

“The evidence shows that keeping elderly people active and ensuring that they have centres in which to meet, helps maintain their health, and essentially reduces the financial burden on health and social services.

“I am of the view that the Welsh Government need to do much more to ensure that centres such as these are accessible, and that charging levels are reviewed across Wales.”