AN adult day care business that was unable to access any financial assistance during the Covid lockdowns has been awarded £1,000 grant by a charity.
Phoenix Day Care, on Harmire Road Industrial Estate, in Barnard Castle, was founded six years ago by friends Kelly Tatt, Michelle Cassidy and Julian Hyam after being made redundant by Durham County Council.
The not-for-profit organisation provides care, support and respite to adults with varying needs, including dementia, autism and learning disabilities.
Prior to the pandemic the centre took care of about 15 clients on a day-to-day basis, but since reopening the number has dropped to five.
After hearing of the situation Ian Kirkbride, chairman of Barnard Castle Dementia Friendly group and a freemason, stepped in, providing details of a community support grant scheme operated by the charity arm of the Durham Freemasons, the Benevolent Committee of the Province of Durham.
The committee handed over £1,000 to the care centre to help Phoenix continue its their work.
Ms Tatt said: “The money will help us keep going, but it would be nice to see a few more new faces as we’re just struggling with numbers.
“The next couple of months we will have to make a decision. It may be our last year.”
She added: “We are not having any referrals from the council and we desperately need new referrals to get more people here to make it a bit more viable as a business.”
