Markhouse Centre, Walthamstow closure plan irks relatives

The Markhouse Centre could be shut after Waltham Forest Council said renovations would be too expensive.

More than 50 people attend the centre, with many going every day. It has become a lifeline for the families whose relatives use the service.

Catherine Tokens’ 51-year-old son Paul has been attending the Markhouse Centre for 30 years. He is non-verbal, with autistic tendencies, and goes to the centre four days a week.

She said the Markhouse Centre “has given Paul a life of his own”.

She said: “He’s busy during the day, otherwise what would he do? He can be with people he knows, staff that can work with him.”

Waqas Jamal, whose sister Aisha also uses the centre, said it has “taught her skills” and given her some independence.

Over the past 22 years, she has learned how to cook and play cricket.

Paul Tokens (Image: Catherine Tokens)

He said: “Before going to Markhouse, she couldn’t get involved at home. Now she knows what she’s doing.”

The centre also offers respite for relatives. Waqas said it was a “big relief” for his mother and gives her the chance to “get her energy back” during the day.

Catherine said she could visit her 97-year-old mother in Bedfordshire, go to the hospital, and run errands.

She said: “It takes the burden off us. It gives us time to have a life and do the things we need to do.”

No formal decision has been made on the centre’s future, but the cabinet is expected to vote to close it in December.

The council says it wants to move from a “buildings-based approach” to a “people-based approach”.

Louise Mitchell, cabinet member for adult social care, said the council’s budget had “decreased by an enormous amount” and Markhouse was a “difficult building to maintain”.

Waqas Jamal and his sister Aisha (Image: Waqas Jamal)

Waltham Forest has overspent by a total of £17million so far this year, and is eyeing £10m cuts next year.

Catherine said she had “been through it all before,” when a centre in Trumpington Road was closed in 2018.

She said: “Losing services all the time is painful for Paul. And he doesn’t have a choice. He can’t change it.”

Even slight changes to Paul’s daily schedule, such as leaving for the centre later than usual, can cause “problems at home,” including temper tantrums.

Catherine continued: “If Paul loses the Markhouse, he’ll lose a building where he knows where he is. And the very worst thing is, he’ll lose all the staff who can understand him.

“You can’t work with people who can’t speak unless you can understand them, and that takes a long time.

“It’ll be horrendous for him. And we’ll be left to pick up the bits.”

The prospect of the centre closing has already upset Aisha, Waqas said.

He added: “She couldn’t go because of a problem with the boilers and was sitting in the living room asking when the bus was coming.

“For her, going there and seeing her friends is her world. She can forget about her medication but won’t forget her friends’ names.”

Council officers say there are enough spaces available at other providers, but there are concerns they may not meet people’s needs.

Catherine said: “These places might not be any good. It’s not feasible for Paul to do cooking or arts. That’s not his level.

“And these places could become oversubscribed.”

Waqas said it will take time for Aisha to adapt, and it was a “challenge” after she started going three days a week instead of five.

Officers will conduct a review of each users’ needs, but only if the centre is closed.

Around 85 per cent of consultees “strongly” oppose the proposals, but both Catherine and Waqas fear it will close “regardless” of what residents say.

The last investment into the Markhouse Centre was a £500,000 refurbishment in 2016.