I was saddened and angry to read that one of York's three Family Centres will close at the end of March (January 25). Yet again the council is throwing away an essential service.

The work done in these centres is invaluable. My stepchildren have benefited a great deal from attending Clifton Family Centre when their mother became ill with mental health problems. Margaret Gold, one of the qualified child workers there, helped the children to understand the problems surrounding mental health issues.

This service should be non-negotiable. I used to transport children to and from Family Centres for Social Services and saw first hand the kind of work they do. They work with parents and children to overcome behavioural problems, help children with bereavement counselling, work with children who are to be adopted, work with mentally, physically and sexually abused children, helping them to work through the emotions and problems these children are going through.

Surely, when the Government is supposed to be so hot on the rights of the child, taking away this invaluable service is putting more children at risk.

The council has a large pot of money for the residents of York to spend on Millennium Events. I for one would rather this money be used to keep open the Family Centre than spent on one-off events that the apathetic citizens of York may or may not attend. Come on York Council get your priorities right.

Name and address supplied.

...I AM writing to you to voice my objection to the disturbing news of the proposed cuts that are going to be made to the family centre service.

Firstly I have found this is to be a valuable service to me and my family, when recently I had the misfortune to suffer severe postnatal depression which led me to being admitted to hospital for a short time. The help which was given to me by the way of a family aide worker from the Family Centre service help me and my family to recover and get through this particularly difficult time.

Secondly is the importance of the drop-in mornings which the respective family centres run. I attend one of these along with other parents with young children and babies. These are places where you can go and have a chat to other parents, so helping to alleviate the feeling of isolation. Also the staff are able to offer help and support with the many problems parents can have, while the children can safely play and learn how to socialise.

I am aware that there are other just as essential services that need funding, but children are our future and what they experience today will affect society tomorrow.

Mrs L Harrison,

Markham Crescent,

Haxby Road,

York.

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