USERS of a 'lifeline' support group have spoken out about how much the social group means to them.

TheFDF, formerly Flintshire Disability Forum, has been supporting adults with disabilities and sensory impairments for the past 20 years and after a recent tendering process by Flintshire County Council, was not successful in receiving the funds.

Video by Simon Warburton

Jan Thomas, chief officer, told the Leader yesterday that without the funding the social group will cease to exist, and the past 20 years would count for nothing.

Sarah Thatcher has suffered two brain injuries and she has been a member of the group for nine years.

Delphine Davies, Sarah’s PA, said: “It’s a lifeline for her. Before we came here she wasn’t able to attend any other social groups because she didn’t fit in.

“She has made friends inside and outside of the group and the group do so much more. Jan and the team supported her when her partner passed away and helped with the funeral arrangements.”

The service provides daily social groups and they held their AGM yesterday where concerned members had the opportunity to raise their worries.

Member Nigel Foglette said: “Without this place I’m stuck at home all day every day looking at these four walls.

“This place gives me a chance to get out and socialise and have fun. If this stops, I would be stuck at home and that would give anyone depression.

“I may only come once a week, but that once a week is vital.”

Chairman, Allen Bewley told the group that TheFDF was awarded the Centre for Independent Living, making it the first in North Wales, adding: “Sadly this accreditation doesn’t come with financial assistance.”

He said the group is committed to the removal of all disabled barriers and the organisation wants to work together for all disabled people.

Ian Frost, who has been attending the social sessions for about eight months, said: “If these were to stop, I wouldn’t be going out. Before I started, I wouldn’t even leave the house and didn’t see anyone.

“Now I come every week and meet with friends and have fun with people who are going through the same thing.

“For a lot of people, they don’t see anyone else and this is the only time they get out.”

The chief officer said they have challenged the results of the tendering process but the future of the social group is still unknown because without the funding they could not afford to carry on.

Flintshire County Council has said it is ‘fully committed to providing the best possible service’ for people with disabilities and will maintain completely the current level of services, with no reductions in service at all.

Neal Ayling, Chief Officer Social Services at Flintshire Council explained the authority recently re-tendered the service for people with disabilities fairly and robustly, and that council is looking forward to working with the four successful voluntary organisations following the completion of the process.