BCP Council day centre plans 'not practical' for vulnerable people

BCP Council announced plans last month of closing some, or all of the day centres, following a consultation to move towards community-based services.

However, Gillian Worsfold, 69, said the closures would be detrimental to her 37-year-old daughter who suffers from a rare brain defect and has been attending the centres since she was 19.

“If they close them all, it's going to affect so many people, and I just think it's wrong that they can do that when it is a badly needed service that is provided for,” said Gillian.

She said her daughter, Lauren Humphreys, attends Christchurch Connect four times a week and ‘loves’ going there.

“It’s her routine, and being selfish, it also gives the carer a chance to do a few jobs without them around all the time.”

Gillian agrees that the three day centres, in Westbourne, Wallisdown and Highcliffe, which were closed during the pandemic should remain closed but to close them all ‘does not add up.’

READ MORE: Day centres for vulnerable people could be set to close

Three connect centres, run by BCP Council trading company, Tricuro, remain open in Boscombe, Christchurch and Parkstone, with two ‘plus’ services in Moordown and Poole.

Malcolm Green, 86, cares for his wife with dementia and has been taking her to Highcliffe Plus, in the Christchurch building, for around 18 months.

The couple have been married for 63 years and before attending the centre, Malcolm did not receive any support caring for 85-year-old Beryl.

“It’s made a lot of difference in that I can get free time,” said Malcolm.

“Also Beryl hates shopping and hates being cold and with the modern supermarket being cold, on a couple of occasions, she’s just had enough and stormed out.

“So I have to abandon a half-filled trolley and catch up with her to bring her home.”

Malcolm added: “It’s all a challenge and to be able to drop Beryl off I can then go and do the shopping or I can have a cup of coffee and relax, knowing she’s in good hands and she’s safe.”

However, he said one of the proposals was to meet in community centres which ‘would not be practical’ for people with dementia because of the safety risk.

Cllr David Brown, portfolio holder for health and wellbeing, said the consultation, which closes on January 12, encouraged people to share their views and experiences.

“Over the past year or so we have spoken to many service providers and people who use services to influence the way services are designed, commissioned and delivered,” said Cllr Brown.

“This has helped us draft the strategy to meet their needs.

“We are committed to providing day opportunities for those that need them; where they are accessed and how they are delivered may change.

“Our commitment will always be to provide choice and opportunities to help people live their lives.”

The findings of the consultation will be published on March 6, when a decision will be made about the proposals.

Any changes would be introduced over two years from April but Cllr Brown stressed that no decision on the future of the day centres have been made yet.