Mum wins fight for her disabled son to go into care home in his home town

A mother in Wigton, Cumbria, has won a battle for her son to be given a residential care place in his home town, instead of at a care home miles away in West Cumbria.

Marilyn Calvert, aged 67, has cared for her son Mike, who has Down Syndrome, all of his life.

However Mike Calvert, who is 47-years-old has also got dementia, which is getting worse meaning he needs expert care.

After applying for a place in residential care for him, Ms Calvert was told by health and social care chiefs that there was a place for him in a specialist dementia care home in West Cumbria, 20 miles away from where she lives.

Mr Calvert’s sister, Jennifer Henderson, launched a petition on change.org called ‘Give Mike a chance to live in a home near his family in Wigton, Cumbria’.

After 155,194 people signed the petition, NHS Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group, and Cumbria County Council, have agreed Mr Calvert can move into a care home in Wigton.

Ms Henderson welcomed the decision saying to those who signed the petition: “We got the yes we've been fighting for! Mike can now stay in the best home for him, in his local community and a street away from my mum! This has been a hard fight so thank you so very very much, without you we couldn't have done it! My brother deserves the best which is what we have got.

“Thank you all for signing my petition I have no doubt this made the decision makers stand up and listen. Your comments have been a great support and comfort to me and my family.

“We now have the realisation that we have to let Mike go to be cared for by others but knowing he is minutes from us and in a lovely home with only three other people makes this a lot easier. The best for Michael is what it has always been about. I will never be able to say thank you enough. I look forward to a different life with my brother but a good one, thank you, Jennifer."