Three day centres in the Richmond area will be closed from today (March 24) in a bit to protect some of the borough's most vulnerable residents from coronavirus.

Sheen Lane Day Centre in East Sheen, the Access Project Day Centre in Whitton and the Woodville Centre in Ham will all be closed as a measure to ensure the safety of the community.

Cllr Piers Allen, Chair of the Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Services Committee, said:“Protecting our most vulnerable residents is the number one priority for Richmond Council at this time. Inline with the Government guidance, we are reviewing each of our services to make sure no service user or member of staff is being put at risk.

“We are contacting every family impacted by the closure of the centres and will discuss how arrangements, tailored to each individual, can be put in place to support them whilst they are at home.

“We understand this is a very uncertain time for residents as we face the unprecedented situation around the rapid escalation of Coronavirus.

“We want to reassure residents that, in collaboration with our partners, all necessary steps will be taken to support the well-being of our communities as much as possible.”

Sheen Lane Day Centre is a specialist day centre for people aged 60 and over with a physical disability, frailty and/or sensory loss or impairment.

The Access Project provides care and support for people aged 18 to 65, with physical disabilities, neurological conditions, sensory loss and learning disabilities.

The Woodville Centre is a specialist day centre for adults aged 60 plus who have been diagnosed with moderate to severe Dementia.

The Council is also planning to contact people who access the centres so that they can be provided with information regarding the continued support that will be available for them, within their own homes.