A 3,000-signature petition reaches Downing Street next week calling for the Torch mental health rehabilitation unit to be saved from closure.

It is being backed by a mum who has seen her son's life transformed by visits to the unit at Hahnemann House in Bournemouth's West Cliff.

Dorset NHS bosses are seeking to save £2.2m and are consulting over the possibility of replacing Torch, the Treatment, Outreach and Rehabilitation service with community teams.

But users and carers want the centre to remain open because of the benefits they say it gives to vulnerable people as they strive to rejoin mainstream life after suffering mental problems.

Lesley, who asked the Echo not to use her full name in order to protect her 21-year-old son's identity, is convinced Torch has made a big difference to his improving condition.

"Last summer he was in St Ann's Hospital with psychosis and then came out of hospital and started seeing a psychiatrist," said Lesley.

"He was staying in bed all day doing nothing and had lost all self confidence.

"Then we managed to convince him to go to Torch. Now he is gradually getting better. It helps him being able to see the same staff each time, and one of the staff is taking him to do voluntary work.

"He goes to Torch three days a week. If it was to shut down he would have nowhere to go and would go back to staying in bed all day, I'm sure of it."

The future of Torch is unclear. A spokesperson for Dorset NHS Healthcare Trust would only say that at present the consultation process is continuing.

Angela Helder and Jill Dorrington, who both have close family members who have benefited from Torch, have been the driving force behind the petition to save the unit.

Jill, of Broadstone, said: "I want to thank everyone who has signed and all those who have helped, particularly Cllr Peter Adams."

Local MPs and councillors have been invited to attend the handing over of the petition at Downing Street on September 6 to give the campaign added weight.

First published: September 1, 2005