Funding Cuts Threaten Vital Elderly Care Service at CACE

CACE, a vital elderly care service supporting 85 weekly users, faces funding cuts from North Lanarkshire Council, threatening its unique support for seniors like Mary, Elizabeth, and Paul.

Mary's Story: The Importance of CACE

After the loss of her daughter several years ago, 89-year-old Mary found her days increasingly long and quiet. Living alone, with only weekend visits from her son, much of her time is spent in solitude within her home.

Twice weekly, Mary is picked up from her front door and taken to CACE (Cumbernauld Action for Care of the Elderly), where she enjoys breakfast, a hot lunch, engaging activities, and social interaction with peers.

"I know everybody in here," she says. "I've been coming a long time. It's an essential part of my life."

Three pensioners, Alice, Mary and Margaret sitting at a table with felt-tip pens and colouring sheets. They all have short, white or grey hair. Alice is wearing a blue jumper and gold necklaces, Mary is wearing a pink jumper and Margaret is wearing a brown and white striped jumper. — Alice (left), Mary (middle) and Margaret (right) met through the day service and have since become friends

About CACE and Its Services

CACE has been operational for over 30 years, supporting up to 85 individuals weekly. The organisation provides door-to-door transport, nutritious meals, outings, and group activities designed to combat loneliness and promote independence among elderly people.

However, like many volunteer-run organisations, CACE depends heavily on funding from public sources and the local authority.

In the previous year, North Lanarkshire Council contributed approximately £135,000 in direct funding, accounting for about 35% of CACE's annual budget.

Recently, the council announced that starting April, this direct funding will cease, although CACE may apply for other volunteer funding streams. The council cited a review that identified considerable overlap with existing council-operated and commissioned services as the reason for this decision.

CACE staff contend that their model delivers a unique level of care that is difficult to replicate through other services.

Volunteer Jade stated that the service depends on council funding and warned that the funding cut could jeopardise the organisation's survival.

CACE staff members Susan, who has dark hair and is wearing a black blouse with white spots, Lindsay, who has blonde hair, tied back, who is wearing a black and white striped polo-neck jumper and George, who has a bald head and is wearing a maroon top. They are all smiling at the camera. — Staff members Susan (left), Lindsay (middle) and George (right)

Elizabeth's Experience and Family Perspective

Elizabeth, aged 90 and living with Alzheimer's disease, attends CACE twice a week. Her granddaughter, Brooke, emphasises the positive impact the structured environment and stimulation have on slowing Elizabeth's cognitive decline.

"If she wasn't here, she'd be indoors all the time," Brooke explains. "I think her Alzheimer's would get worse much more quickly."

Brooke describes the group as "like an extended family," providing reassurance that Elizabeth is safe, engaged, and well cared for.

Brooke, who is in her mid 30s has long, brown hair. She is smiling at the camera and sitting next to her grandmother who has short, grey hair and is looking at the camera. She is wearing a grey jumper and a dark jacket with a silver brooch. Brooke is wearing a dark shirt or jacket. There are home-made drawings on the wall behind them. — Brooke fears her grandmother will be confused by new faces if she has to move to a different day service

Support and Recovery: Paul's Journey

Lindsay, the day service manager, highlights the value of CACE through the example of Paul, an 87-year-old service user. After the sudden loss of his wife of 60 years, Paul was encouraged by his daughter-in-law to attend CACE for support and socialisation.

"He came in and wouldn't take his jacket or beanie hat off," Lindsay recalls. "In week four he finally took his hat off and I thought 'oh this is progress'."

Paul, a former soldier, was experiencing acute depression and PTSD. Staff were initially concerned about his mental health as he took several weeks to engage with activities and other attendees.

He began attending grief-support sessions led by Lindsay, gradually opening up about his loss and expressing his grief honestly.

"He would call us out of office hours in an inconsolable state," Lindsay says. "Now he brings me a poem and a painting every time he sees me."

Since then, Paul has not missed a single week of day support, group activities, or outings such as cinema visits organised by CACE.

He has also started to enjoy art sessions and recently participated in an intergenerational art project at Greenfaulds High School.

"I never would have imagined doing that before," Paul admits. "I am extremely grateful... they've brought back joy in my life."

Paul standing next to a wall of artwork he has created. He has an almost bald head and brown-rimmed glasses. He is wearing a blue suit jacket, light blue shirt and a blue and green tartan waistcoat and matching tartan tie. He is leaning on a stick. — Paul and his wall - the staff put up Paul's artwork and poems in their office

CACE A group of elderly people with walking aids, standing at a zoo entrance with life-size models of giraffes behind them as well as large photographs of a bear and a lizard — CACE regularly take service users out to visit places such as the zoo and the Kelpies

Efforts to Sustain CACE

In response to the funding threat, CACE has initiated a petition and is actively working to keep its doors open to as many people as possible.

The council maintains that the funding decision reflects the availability of comparable services, a need to distribute funding more equitably, and a commitment to providing alternative support options.