East Sussex day care centre upgrade confirmed

A four month public consultation undertaken by East Sussex County Council has concluded with the decision to upgrade current day centre provision for adults with learning disabilities, after many buildings were found to be ageing rapidly and threatening service quality.

The council has now announced plans for a new Community Hub in Hailsham, to replace a day care service in Firstfields which is merging with Linden Court in Eastbourne. Linden Court itself is currently being refurbished, while four other learning disability services remain the focus of “review and development”; these are the Conquest Day Centre, in Hastings, Beeching Park, in Bexhill, Southview Close, in Crowborough and St Nicholas, in Lewes.

Commenting on the consultation process, which ran from 15 November 2011 to 7 March 2012 and saw many service users contribute throughout the day centres, councillor and lead member for adult social care Bill Bentley said:

“We listened to all the feedback and we have responded positively. Most people who replied to our survey agreed on our proposals.

“We will ensure that a new Community Hub is provided in Hailsham and Linden Court in Eastbourne will be modernised. We will also look at other Day Centres to ensure we are providing the best facilities where they are needed and any adult with learning disabilities who needs a day service will still get one”.

As well as looking to protect the quality of adult day care provision, the council also hopes that the decision will lead to more opportunities for employment and volunteer work.