30th November 2009
A new Learning Disabilities Day Centre in Dalmuir is on track to meet the needs of current and future service users across West Dunbartonshire.
Since the spring of this year, a steering group made up of Councillors, Care Managers, Carers, Staff reps and Lomond & Argyll Advocacy Service (who represent the interests of the service users themselves) has been meeting to develop plans for the new centre.
At today’s (Wed 17 Nov 09) Social Work & Health Improvement Committee, elected members were brought up to speed with the latest developments, including seeing a first rough draft layout plan.
While plans are still in their infancy, this is the first chance for Councillors to get an idea of the space the steering group are going to be designing.
The intention is to offer specialist facilities including sensory impairment therapy and physiotherapy areas with specialist toilet and changing areas. More detailed plans will be brought before the committee in the near future.
The Steering Group have had the opportunity to visit existing establishments recognised by the Care Commission as being examples of good practice, including the Sense Scotland Centre in Glasgow, allowing them to make informed choices and suggestions for the new project’s development.
Carer and service user involvement will be key to the success of the new centre, giving users the sense of ownership, and service users have had a number of opportunities to share their views with the help of Lomond & Argyll Advocacy Service.
The steering group hope to have completed a consultation with all Carers by early in the New Year.
Cllr Jonathan McColl said: “Since the Clydebank Service users moved to the Dumbarton Centre in February this year, we have been working to secure a new service in the Clydebank area.
“This is not about providing a copy of what went before, nor is it about duplicating everything from Dumbarton. We want to provide a West Dunbartonshire wide service with people having access to both centres. The steering group would also like to see the facility being used by the public out with office hours.
“We have a real opportunity here to develop not only a first class service for present and future clients, but also a facility the community can be proud of.”
The Council promised the service users of Auchentoshan and their carers a new facility, and thanks to the commitment of everyone on the steering group, we are another step closer to delivering that promise.”
