Centre decision will shape day services future
04 January 2008
A centre used by disabled people is to close as part of a programme of changes and improvements to day services.
The decision to close Granville Resource Centre in Granville Avenue, Long Eaton, was made by Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet following an in-depth, three month consultation held last summer.
The county council’s adult social services carried out the consultation with the support of Leonard Cheshire Disability which runs day services for disabled people in Derbyshire under contract to the authority.
One-to-one informal meetings were held with people using Granville Resource Centre and their relatives were contacted through the county council’s contact centre Call Derbyshire to complete an individual questionnaire.
Voluntary groups and disability organisations with an interest in day services and disabled people were also able to send comments via the Derbyshire Disability Partnership Board and people were encouraged to write, phone and e-mail their comments about the proposed closure.
The decision to close Granville Resource Centre is part of a move by the county council, working with Leonard Cheshire Disability, to extend the range of services and activities for disabled people and increase the opportunities available to them in the community.
More emphasis is being put on using mainstream services, for example adult education, sports and leisure facilities, and independent social groups, linking with the county council’s drive to increase the number of people using direct payments.
There are only 22 people currently using Granville Resource Centre on a weekly basis, with an average of only nine people attending the centre each day.
Last summer’s consultation showed that the majority of people using Granville Resource Centre were interested in using services and taking part in activities at alternative venues.
People using the centre have been given reassurances that transport will still be provided to the alternative venues which will replace Granville and that it won’t close until these are in place.
Leonard Cheshire Disability staff will now work closely with centre users and their relatives or carers to look at a range of alternative services they can use and activities they may be interested in.
Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for adult social services Councillor Dave Allen said: “There is an emphasis nationally and locally on developing services for disabled people which are not day centre-based and use a wide range of community facilities.
“We feel the new emphasis on using community activities and mainstream services increases people’s choices and will benefit many people.”
He added: “The decision to close Granville Resource Centre has been taken after a long and very in-depth consultation with people who use the centre and their relatives.
“Staff will be working very hard over the next few months to ensure everyone is happy with the alternatives that are put in place.”
Leonard Cheshire Disability East Region general manager Shana Roe said: “Leonard Cheshire Disability is committed to providing the highest quality services that meet the needs of disabled people.
“It is of paramount importance to us to listen to the needs of disabled people right across the county who aired their views in this comprehensive consultation.
“We are delighted to be working with Derbyshire County Council to ensure these changes are implemented smoothly for the people who use them.”
(MC.03.08)
