THE brother of a 71-year-old resident at Creamery House, Kesh says he believes the Western Trust made no effort to fill four vacant beds at the home before proposing its closure earlier this year.

Willie Bogle, a man with learning difficulties who also suffers from diabetes, has been living at the 11-bed facility for elderly people since his mother died in 2008.

Speaking to the Impartial Reporter this week his brother, Leslie, (pictured right) says Creamery House was Godsend for his family.

Describing the difficulty his family experienced in securing a bed there seven years ago, Leslie says he believes the Trust have made no effort to inform prospective residents that the facility even exists.

On May 5 a public meeting was held in Kesh to discuss the implications the Trust’s in-year Savings Plan could have on Creamery House.

It was only after this meeting that Willie’s family officially received a letter from the Trust, informing them of its proposal to close the home.

“I’m really angry about it to be honest,” said Leslie, “They (the Trust) have it all sewn up.

“Willie wouldn’t understand what this all means. If you told him now: ‘You’re moving to a new home’, he would just say ‘yes’.

“He would have no understanding of what it actually meant for him.

“That is why we as a family have to speak up for him.” Leslie explained that Willie very rarely left the house while living with his mother.

“She was very protective of him,” he said, “He was never really allowed out of the house. We didn’t even know this place existed in Kesh to be honest.

“But we just couldn’t have cared for him ourselves. There were two homes nearer to us, but they were just not viable for what Willie needed.” Leslie recalls how they had to fight for Willie’s place at Creamery House.

“There was another person looking to get the bed as well.

“We weren’t sure at the time whether we would be lucky enough to get him in.

“That was seven years ago -- what has changed in that time to leave four vacancies and no one interested in filling them?” he asked.

According to Leslie, Creamery House was “ideal” for Willie.

“He surprised us to be honest. We didn’t know how he would settle in after living with his mother all of his life. But he went and fitted in just like a glove.

“To be truthful, it was like a new lease of life for him.

“He got out on trips to places he would never have even dreamed of before.

“He just fitted into Kesh so well.

“Any time that we brought him home for the weekend, he just wanted back up to Kesh again!” According to Leslie, Willie’s speech and temperament improved too following the move.

“He would tell you about all the places he had been.

“We have that many photographs at home of him out somewhere, with a suit and tie on -- thinking he was Lord Muck! He would never have had that at home.” And at weekends when Willie comes home with Leslie to Castlederg, his excitement to return to Creamery House is always visible.

“The staff send home all his tablets in envelopes for his diabetes,” Leslie explains, “Willie knows when the envelopes are empty that he gets back to Creamery House.

“‘Envelopes done, up to Kesh’, he says. He is always glad when the envelopes are empty!” Leslie recalls that about five years after Willie moved in, two of the residents died.

“We always talked amongst ourselves as a family about how we wanted to see those vacancies filled.

“But they (the Trust) never seemed to make much of a shout about the place.

“And now they are saying that because of long-term vacancies, it needs to close?” Leslie is scathing too, about the Trust’s approach and consideration towards the residents and their families.

“This came in on us far too quickly,” he said, “I don’t think we have been treated very well.

“After the public meeting we got a letter from the Trust to arrange a meeting with them.

“We had a yearly review with the staff in Creamery House at 1.30pm on May 20 anyway so we arranged for our meeting with the Trust for 10.30am that day.

“But the Trust moved it to 1pm.

“We only had 30 minutes to discuss all of this with them.

“The only option we wanted was for Creamery House to remain open. But it made no difference what I said.

“I said to them: ‘I doubt this has been a lot in motion before it came to us. You have got the concrete set and now you are just waiting on it to harden. You have nothing in your heads only closure and I am not happy’.” The Trust have continually argued that besides long-term vacancies, the building is no longer fit for purpose.

But Leslie and his family do not accept this.

“I know there was another female in there for two months in respite -- but of course, they haven’t mentioned her at all.

“There have also been a couple of other people in and out of respite care there.

“They say the building doesn’t meet requirements, but there is nothing wrong with it at all.” Leslie says moving from Creamery House could be potentially devastating for Willie.

“He loves it there -- the staff are like a mother to him. They give him little jobs to do to keep him busy. We were so lucky to find out about Creamery House. I know that if families knew it existed, they would have no bother filling those vacancies,” he said.

A Trust spokesperson said: “The Trust is committed to engaging with residents, families and staff to share information and discuss the proposal in an effective and sensitive manner. The Trust is very mindful that change is difficult for everyone involved; however we will work with all stakeholders to effect smooth transition regarding the outcome of the proposal. Staff will continue to meet with every individual family affected to share information and discuss the proposed implementation of the changes to best suit their needs.”