A popular Angus care home has marked its 30th anniversary just months after it was saved from the cost-cutting axe.
Around 75 residents, family members and supporters of Seaton Grove in Arbroath gathered for a combined Christmas and anniversary celebration.
Ruth Stephen, vice chairwoman of the Friends of Seaton Grove, which campaigned to save the facility said she was “delighted” with the event.
She said: “The outlook at the start of the year was very different.
“The future was very uncertain and while we continue keep a watching brief on the situation, we are happy with developments so far and one of our group, Sheen Welsh is now on the working group which will be included in future discussion on the future of the new mental health provision unit at Seaton Grove.
“I would like to thank everyone for the support we received from far and wide for the campaign to save Seaton Grove – the alternative was that it would have closed early in the new-year.”
In March, a leaked document revealed that Arbroath home faced the axe as management sought to balance the books.
Health chief’s claimed the facility was “not cost efficient” and required investment of at least £1 million of investment to bring it up to scratch.
Other options in the report included privatisation and handing the facility over to a third sector organisation.
The news was met with dismay by residents and their families and a campaign to save the home was launched.
A petition against closure quickly attracted 4,000 signatures, while the residents themselves issued a plea to the authorities asking they be allowed “to live out our lives here without having to worry about having a roof over our heads.”
Ultimately, the authorities lifted the axe and withdrew the threat of privatisation.
