Staff at Lambeth's only dedicated day care centre for people living with dementia have begun their first day of strike action as they battle to protect jobs and stop the site from closing. Unison members from the Day Centre on the Central Hill Estate in Crystal Palace started striking on Thursday morning (May 14) after a vote saw a 90 per cent turnout.
Picket Line Support
Current and former carers, along with members from the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) and some of the borough's Green councillors, joined the picket line to show solidarity with striking Unison members. The centre is the only one of its kind in Lambeth, providing essential support for dementia patients and respite for their families.
Council's Relocation Plan
Lambeth Council intends to move existing services from the Crystal Palace day centre to the Aspire Wellbeing Centre in West Norwood, which currently works with adults with learning difficulties. Cllr David Bridson, then-Cabinet Member for Healthier Communities, previously cited significant disrepair at the Central Hill building and a drop in attendance. However, an anonymous staff member told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that referrals have been closed for 18 months, leading to reduced attendance.
Speaking from the picket line, the staff member said: 'The day centre is a valuable, dementia-friendly building and we want it to remain open. We want our referrals to be reopened because they've been closed for 18 months now, which has reduced the number of people that attend. We had about 50-odd people on our books; it's gone down to about 24 now, and that's because no referrals are coming in. We've got the space to grow the service again, and the reason they kept it on hold is they didn't want to open it up to new people because when we move into the new building it would be quite confusing for them.'
Safety Concerns at New Venue
Staff have raised concerns about the proposed new venue, described as a single room backing onto an open car park. The staff member added: 'Throughout this consultation, we've asked things about the new place. Where we've got a whole building, we've been allocated one room at Aspire. The only door to come in and out of our one room opens up onto an active car park, and that is one of our big safety issues. We're so concerned that it hasn't even been considered. It's an active car park with an open gate.'
They explained the risks: 'When you're supporting people with dementia who routinely want to leave the building and go home, they only have to slip out of that door, which has been done many times. That's why we've got a very specialist alarm system here. But if there's no alarm system and they go out that door, they're into an active car park where buses are manoeuvring around this small car park and the gates are constantly open. That is a big red flag and alarm bells for us.'
Job Loss Fears
A council spokesperson previously told the LDRS that a 'small number' of job roles could be at risk, but redeployment opportunities within adult social care were being explored. However, the staff member revealed that only three posts are available at the new venue for the six current workers. Other roles set to be lost include a cook, a manager, and a facilities officer.
They said: 'We want our referral list opened, we want the building to stay, and we want the staffing to stay. Those are the things that we really want. This is all for the sake of the people who use our service. It's so important that people who live with dementia have something like this, and their families have something like this, where people know they can leave their mum or dad or uncle. They know they're safe for the day. They know they can then relax and get on with their day.'
Dementia Statistics
According to a report from the Alzheimer's Society, there are currently estimated to be 982,000 people with dementia in the UK, with more than a third not having a diagnosis. The number is expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040.
Union Response
Simon Hannah, joint branch secretary of Lambeth Unison, said: 'Lambeth Council have run down this service to save money, which is a crying shame for the people of Lambeth. It is the only dedicated day centre for people with dementia where their carers can also get some respite from 24/7 care. Staff are dedicated to helping local residents and want to save jobs and ensure a quality service. Management needs to come to the table with realistic alternatives that ensure the local service is sustainable.'
The LDRS understands Unison members could take part in further strike action towards the end of the month.
Council's Position
A Lambeth Council spokesperson previously told the LDRS: 'The council recognises the important role day activities has for our Lambeth Adult Social Care service users and their families, across the borough as a whole. It is important to note the Lambeth dementia day service is not being closed. The provision is being relocated and there will continue to be a borough-wide dementia day service; which will operate from the Aspire Wellbeing Centre in West Norwood, rather than from its current site at Central Hill.'
They said the service will be available for all Lambeth residents who require a dementia day service, with no reduction in the current service offer. Transport will be provided where needed. The spokesperson added: 'There has been considerable engagement and consultation held during the period of the day services review over the past year, and leading up to the start of the formal staff consultation from February 11, 2026. Alongside service users and carers this has included regular discussion with staff and with trade union representatives. We have continued to offer trade union colleagues time and the opportunity to discuss with us further.'
