STAFF have been left "broken hearted" for their vulnerable customers following the sudden closure of a "lifeline" service located in Glan Clwyd Hospital grounds.

One devastated worker, who has asked not to be named, was made redundant from The Disability Resource Centre on Thursday, January 25, along with eight other staff. It is understood trustees came to tell staff the centre was "now closed". 

Staff claim that some customers have been "left" without their mobility equipment; mobility scooters for customers are currently locked up in the workshop. Workers feel in the "dark" in terms of how this is going to resolve. 

The vital centre has been running for 25 years. It provides mobility aids and equipment for people with disabilities, sensory impairments and chronic conditions.

The mobility shop, workshop and offices offers short term wheelchair hire to sales, installations, vehicle adaptations and more. 

A spokesperson for The Disability Resource Centre, who also asked not to be named, said: "We were having difficulties but we don't believe that they were major difficulties, not ones we couldn't overcome. 

"It was Thursday last week when the trustees said 'as of now, you are closed. Pack up your belongings and go'. We said 'can we take people's stuff [people's stuff in the workshop etc] so we can keep it safe?' and they said 'no - leave it there'. So we have had to leave people without their mobility equipment. 

"The advice they gave us on how to move forward and claim redundancy is a free phone number for Citizen's Advice. The only thing we got out of them is they hadn't tried to get funding. I believe there is plenty of funding out there. 

"I am just broken hearted. The centre manager has been there for 24 years and some of the other guys between 18 and 20 years. 

"It was just cruel and to leave people without their equipment."

The spokesperson added: "I think that is what has upset all of us more. The customers trust us and we feel that we have let them down."

It is understood appointed administrators are coming to the site on Tuesday. It is hoped that staff can volunteer tomorrow (Tuesday, January 30) and help return scooters and equipment back to customers, should administrators allow access to the centre. 

It is understood administrators will be at the centre in the morning if people wish to attend with a view to collecting equipment held at the Disability Resource Centre or to simply to show staff their support. 

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"Staff are very happy to volunteer to take all the equipment back," the spokesperson said. 

"It is just whether we will be allowed?"

The centre covers areas / has customers in Rhyl, Prestatyn, Flint, Holywell, Mold, Colwyn Bay, Llandudno and Bangor.

Redundant staff are interested in hearing from businesses/investors who might be interested in helping save the important centre.

Efforts are being made to contact the trustees for a statement.

The spokesperson added: "People are devastated. It is such a shock. We knew on Thursday something was going on but not this."

One person wrote on social media about the closure: "I am so upset. Thank you to all the staff and the volunteers, for the last 15 years you have been my lifeline."

Another person posted: "This seems extraordinary to me. Unbelievable. It is an essential service for people with disabilities, like me... why should it close at all?"

The Disability Resource Centre does not come under Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB). BCUHB were unable to comment at this time.