Voluntary Sitters say handing over the service they provided for more than 15 years to new contractors Prospect Housing Association (PHA) on Monday is like a bereavement'.

Worries that the transition is going to be less than smooth will be heightened as less than half of the Voluntary Sitters will give their support to PHA, who will be responsible for giving Sutton carers a break.

After a number of protests and emotional council meetings in September when volunteers said they felt tossed aside', Sutton Council decided that it would be in the carers' best interest to hand the responsibility over to PHA.

Jenny Sparrow, the co-ordinator for Voluntary Sitters, which planned to work in partnership with Crossroads to provide the service, said: "Some of the volunteers don't like change and are frightened.

"At the moment we feel like we have suffered a bereavement but I am pleased that nearly half of the volunteers are going over to Prospect."

PHA moved into the Sutton Carers Centre yesterday while the Voluntary Sitters had an open day enabling them to get together for the last time.

Only 36 of the 75 volunteers decided to continue working with their carers under PHA, while others are either going to help carers as a friend or move on completely.

Scheme co-ordinator for PHA Angela Bailey said: "We are looking into finding an alternative by gaining other volunteers or by using employed members of staff.

"I get the impression from speaking to nearly all of the carers that as long as they are going to get the same service that they are getting at the moment, then they will be happy."

Reassuring the paid members of staff, she added: "All employees from Voluntary Sitters are being transferred to Prospect."

A spokesman for Sutton Council said: "We are satisfied that the transfer of service providing support to carers to the new provider, Prospect Housing Association, is going smoothly.

"Change is always difficult. This is recognised by Prospect, who are ensuring that they attend a number of meetings with the volunteers, staff and carers to discuss the transfer."

November 16, 2001 14:30