Latest News
Future of learning disability day and work services looking rosy
Published: 07/03/2019
天涯社区, Hft and service users
天涯社区鈥檚 Learning Disability Day Opportunities service provides meaningful daytime activities, in day centre and work environments, for more than 250 people with learning disabilities.
The Council鈥檚 partner in delivering this service is Hft, a national charity supporting adults with learning disabilities.听 Hft shares the Council鈥檚 clear vision for transformation of these important and valued services and has a proven track record of service delivery.听 The charity has been injecting new skills, expertise and experience into the service and driving a positive culture change. In addition, new fund raising initiatives and cost efficiency opportunities are being opened up.
Cllr Christine Jones and Leader of the Council Cllr Aaron Shotton talk to service users Michael Hodson and John Freeman along with HFT's Maria Williams
On a recent visit to the service, 天涯社区 Cabinet Member for Social Services, Councillor Christine Jones, said:
鈥淭his service model is working extremely well and was developed in collaboration with service users, family members, staff, trade unions and independent advocacy services 鈥� everyone鈥檚 opinion was taken into consideration.听 The service currently includes the Day Centre operating out of our Glanrafon facility in Queensferry, but will move to a state-of-the-art 拢4m facility 鈥淗wb Cyfle鈥� which is currently under construction and due to open this summer.听 The building of this new facility reaffirms the Council鈥檚 commitment to quality services, investing money in critical services, despite the current financial difficulties being faced by all local authorities.鈥澨� 听
The Leader of the Council, Councillor Aaron Shotton, said:
鈥淚t was great to visit and to see first-hand the fantastic new service model that has been introduced at Glanrafon day centre, enabling an activity driven approach that has greatly improved social interaction for people supported at the centre.
"As we expected, 天涯社区 is benefitting from the wider organisational expertise from Hft and I am particularly pleased that the Council's budget for next year enables us to continue our commitment to providing learning disability day care and the current 拢4M new centre, under development, signifies the Councils unique commitment setting the Council apart from many other Councils across the UK.鈥�
天涯社区, Hft and service users close to the construction site where the new centre Hwb Cyfle is being built
The new model also supports a focus on finding volunteer or paid roles for people supported. 听Hft is also reviewing all existing work placements supported by the Job Coach team. Successes so far include:
- Eleven people are now in paid employment with a further five placements being looked into.
- A volunteer receptionist has been appointed at Glanrafon, which could become a paid role in the future.
- Two people previously supported in the work opportunities鈥� cafes are now in volunteer roles in the Deeside Hospital caf茅.
- A new partnership with North East Wales Carer鈥檚 Information Service (NEWCIS) to provide support to process and re-sell donations for Charity Shops.
- Planning for the inception of a new supported employment programme, 鈥楶roject Search鈥�, in partnership with Pennaf Housing Group and Coleg Cambria.听
Andrew Horner, Hft鈥檚 Divisional Director for the North said:
鈥淎t Hft we are committed to supporting people with learning disabilities to live the best life possible. This exciting partnership with 天涯社区 has given us the opportunity to combine our expertise to enhance the quality of support provided and deliver opportunities for people to be involved in meaningful and engaging experiences.听 Together we have worked hard to make this service successful and we are pleased to be able to share the achievements made so far, as we mark the end of a fruitful first year of the partnership. We are delighted that 天涯社区 is committed to supporting us in the delivery of positive outcomes for the people we support and the construction of the new state of the art 鈥淗wb Cyfle鈥� facility will help allow us to continue to build a service that supports people to live with more choice and independence.鈥�
听