Local disability groups seek answers after being 'kicked out' of the Moray Resource Centre

A NUMBER of local groups say they have been 'left high and dry' after being displaced from the Moray Resource Centre.

The Moray Council run building, located on Maisondieu Road in Elgin, provided a day service for adults with physical or sensory disabilities five days a week.

It gave over 20 local groups a 'safe space' to meet for nearly two decades until the coronavirus pandemic forced its closure in March 2020.

The building was then used by the council to provide an emergency response to Covid-19 in Moray, displacing many of the groups who regularly met there in the process.

In January of this year, nearly two years after the centre's initial closure, the groups were informed that they were unlikely to ever get back.

A spokesperson for Moray Council said: "We've met with all groups who previously used the building to advise that it's no longer suitable for sharing as the space is being prioritised to deliver services for those with complex and challenging needs.

"Support has been given to groups to find suitable alternative premises, and we've explained that it's unlikely we'll be able to extend the offer for use of the space in the future while we provide a day service."

Moray Disability Forum regularly made use of the centre for over a decade. They were not offered an alternative meeting spot by the council and say that any suitable alternatives are located outside Moray.

Irena Paterson, the group's Chairperson, said: "We certainly weren't offered an alternative space to meet and I think many of the other groups are in the same boat.

"Where would we go exactly?

"We don't charge money for our group and the only similar centres are in Aberdeen and Inverness. We can't travel that far."

Disability group Moray Duo were regulars at the centre for seven years. They were offered a space at Elgin Community Centre but were informed by the council that they would be required to pay £240 a month in rent.

Sylvia Stobbart, Moray Duo's Assistant Treasurer, said: "We didn't have to pay at the resource centre and it suited our needs perfectly.

"The community centre isn't suitable for disabled people at all.

"The resource centre was built specifically for disabled people and now we've been told we can't use it.

"I don't get it. I don't get what's going on here."

Dave Stobbart, the group's Vice Chair, added: "For years we have had access to the centre and they've just flushed us away like we don't even exist."

Some groups have found alternative meeting spots on their own but the service they are able to offer has changed dramatically.

Moray Mental Health has been meeting at Elgin High Church hall recently.

The group's Membership Secretary, Janice Gordon, said: "It was through Sylvia that I found out we couldn't get back.

"We're only meeting every second week now. That's been challenging for our members.

"Some of them don't see anyone from one week till another but we do try and keep in touch through social media but not everyone is online."

Musical therapy group Sheddies haven't been able to meet at all since being displaced.

Ken Briscoe, who has volunteered with the group for 12 years, says they feel "let down" by the council.

Mr Briscoe said: "We've basically been dumped. I've been in constant contact with the other Sheddies and the other people who used the centre and they all feel the same way.

"Quite a few have mental health issues and this hasn't helped the situation at all. People are suffering without it.

"I think it's been dealt with really badly. There's no empathy or concern whatsoever."

Carl Tottie, who was left paralysed down much of the right side of his body following an accident when he was seven, has lost contact with many of the friends he used to meet at Sheddies.

His condition makes communicating difficult which has made multiple lockdowns challenging for the Glenlivet resident.

Dorise Watson, Mr Tottie's mother, said: "It was great for him to be able to socialise in the group so to suddenly be told that he wouldn't be allowed back after lockdown was brutal.

"He was devastated because he could talk to his friends in the group about things that only they would understand."

Multiple meetings involving the displaced groups have been held over the past few months. One garnered the interest of 70 people last November but despite inviting every councillor in Moray to the meeting, none attended.

Ms Stobbart added: "We're prepared to go on a march in protest now."

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