SKYLARKS HOLIDAY CENTRE FOR THE DISABLED
SHUTS PERMANENTLY

Vitalise Skylarks, Nottingham

 

Vitalise statement regarding Vitalise Skylarks

Thursday 12 August 2010

Vitalise regrets to announce it has permanently closed its Skylarks centre in West Bridgford, Nottingham.

Vitalise reluctantly decided to close Skylarks after a period of consultation with the staff and a detailed internal review of the centre’s long-term viability.

Skylarks was temporarily closed on 3 July, with a view to reopening on 4 September, pending the outcome of the review.

However, after considering a number of factors, Vitalise came to the difficult decision that for the sake of the future of the charity as a whole and the thousands of disabled people and carers it supports – both in the Midlands and around the UK – it would have no other option but to close Skylarks permanently.

All the guests who were due to take breaks at Skylarks from 4 September are now being informed of the situation and Vitalise is helping them make alternative arrangements at the charity’s other centres. A full refund will be made to those guests who do not wish to take up this option.

Vitalise is looking into ways of supporting all the guests, volunteers and supporters from the region who have been affected by the closure.

 

A message from Vitalise Chief Executive Neil McConachie:

 

“This was one of the most difficult decisions Vitalise has ever had to make. I would like to extend my personal sympathies to all those people who have been affected by the closure of Skylarks.

We’ve been very moved by the incredible expressions of support for Skylarks in the past few weeks. We’re keenly aware of just how much the centre means to the guests whose lives have been enriched by Skylarks, as well as the dedicated supporters, volunteers and staff who have worked so hard for the centre. On behalf of Vitalise I’d like to thank you for your support and assure you that in all our deliberations your needs and concerns were uppermost in our minds.

Throughout this process our single highest priority was to find a way to continue providing much-needed breaks for the disabled people and carers across the UK who rely on us. For their sake we had to make the sad decision to close Skylarks in order to preserve the future of Vitalise as whole.

However, while we have regrettably not been able to achieve a sustainable future for Skylarks, we would welcome any proposals from individuals or organisations with this aim in mind and would assist them in any way we can to achieve it. Our fondest hope has always been that Skylarks can continue providing much needed breaks for disabled people and carers – the purpose for which it was built.”

 

*If you have any comments or views about the closure of Skylarks, please email us here. Your views and comments will be forwarded to Vitalise for their response.