DEAR Mr Carmichael.

I am writing this letter to you, because I did not feel you listened to the point I was trying to make, when I met you at the local children’s centre recently.

I use Five Ways Children’s Centre in Cashes Green, Stroud every week. I am a single mum who is struggling and I use the children’s centre a lot for support and help to get out of my flat to meet new people. I struggle badly with depression and anxiety and it is not easy bringing up a child on your own with minimal support.

My local children’s centre is at threat of closure and I feel very strongly about this.

If it is closed down, I and many others will become very isolated and am unlikely to go out if the closure goes ahead.

I cannot get to the other children’s centres due to transport issues and also it took me a very long time to get used to the one at Five Ways and trust the staff.

Closing this centre will have massive impact on my daughter and me as we have been using the centre since she was three months old.

I am a very vulnerable person with mild learning difficulties who needs the support of my local children’s centre. Please, please do not close it down, please take notice of this letter and please listen to the public and users of the centres.

Please have a heart for many young families who rely on the children’s centre and their family support workers.

Please keep it open and running.

Rachel Fletcher

Stroud