THERE were calls to save the day service for vulnerable adults at Bells Piece in Farnham when Leonard Cheshire Disability announced its closure after 23 years.

In early 2020 Bells Piece was forced to halt its thriving day-service activities, including cooking, gardening, music, drama, photography, technology, arts and crafts.

And on announcing a new charity partnership with Forest Lodge Garden Centre in March, deputy manager Davina Scott said the Hale Road service has been left with a “huge” funding shortfall having had to cancel its fundraising fêtes, Christmas market and tree sales last year.

But according to the charity, a lack of demand – not fundraising – is to blame for the service’s permanent closure.

A Leonard Cheshire spokesman said: “We know this was a valued service for people who used it.

“Sadly, demand has fallen considerably, and it proved very difficult to attract new users. As a result, keeping it viable has been impossible.

“We’ve done everything we can to keep the service running, including a trial run last Christmas, but this didn’t generate a sustainable level of interest unfortunately.

“We have therefore taken the difficult decision not to re-open Bells Piece day centre.”

The news has, however, prompted an outcry locally.

Jenny Daniels, Bells Piece’s former volunteer co-ordinator, said in a letter to the Herald: “It was a wonderful service for so many, and will be a huge loss to the local community.

“I have known Bells Piece from when it first started, and have seen it grow over the years into a special place providing a very unique service for so many people.

“A lifeline for many, with more than 60 people using the service over a week. It be wonderful if there was way it could be saved.”

Others expressing sadness at the news this week include MP Jeremy Hunt; chairman of the South West Surrey Disability Empowerment Network and Farnham councillor, David Beaman; and the mayor of Waverley, John Robini.

Cllr Beaman said: “The disabled community have suffered enough due to the consequences of the pandemic and it seems very unfair that when light is starting to appear at the end of the tunnel, that day centres like Bells Piece are having to close with little prospect of them ever reopening.”

The 16 residents of Bell Piece who live there on a permanent basis are not affected.