A ‘lifeline’ service was reprieved because Dudley councillors were not given the full facts campaigners claim.

Activists behind a successful bid to save the Crystal Gateway centre near Stourbridge lifted the lid on how they won the about turn and why the service is so vital. 

The closure was approved as part of the authority’s budget in March and was intended to save £500,000 but a former cabinet member uncovered problems with information provided as the cut was debated. 

Former Conservative councillor, Laura Taylor-Childs, said: “Proposals in the budget had not been consulted on with service users, when I started asking a few questions it was quite clear to me that the background work hadn’t been done properly. 

“Staff hadn’t been consulted so I was really concerned, it was such a vital service that had been slashed without full consideration. 

“The more questions we asked the more confused it was getting, you can stomach a difficult decision as long as you know it has been made correctly.” 

Ms Taylor-Childs, who is a volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Society, teamed up with campaigners including Lisa Mcdonnell whose father has dementia and her mother is his carer. 

Ms Mcdonnell says many people are not aware of the Gateway, which is based on Brettell Lane in Amblecote. She said: “It’s frightening how few people know the facility exists at a time when so many people are touched by dementia.

“It’s such a shocking diagnosis, it takes a long time to work out what you can navigate, every borough should have a Gateway.” 

The Crystal Gateway is a base for advisers who carry out assessments in people’s homes while it also offers day centre services for sufferers and carers to give them a break from the demands of the condition. 

Laura Taylor-Childs said: “A gentleman I know was referred to the service, he was suicidal, he was nearly 80. He was the carer, he couldn’t cope any more, his wife had advanced dementia.

“They gave him just one day at the day centre and it changed his life. Just from having that one day to be himself again he could keep his loved one at home.” 

Lisa Mcdonnell added: “It is the most important thing we have got, if my mum has some support then we have a fighting chance of my dad also being better in himself and staying at home for longer.” 

The alternative to The Gateway was a strategy called The Wiltshire model which emphasises days out and a ‘person-centred’ approach. 

Lisa Mcdonnell said: “We do take our loved ones out but it can’t be every single day, every single week. “When we are out we are watching if my dad is being a bit offensive because the filter goes so they are making comments about people’s badly behaved children or the size of someone. The carer is on high alert in public spaces.” 

The Crystal Gateway is something Ms Mcdonnell believes should be seen as essential service. She added: “This is a social responsibility, there are certain things in society that need to be provided – you can’t just rely on charity, carers and goodwill.”