To receive an update.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the order of agenda items was changed, so that the Update on the Re-Commissioning of Day Opportunities was considered second.

Lynne Lidster, Head of Commissioning, introduced the item with a presentation to give an update on the changes to day opportunities for both older people and people with a learning disability following the consultation and decision by Cabinet in November 2021.

In summary, day opportunities were changing to provide people wider activity options as well as further develop their independence. A formal consultation process on the Council’s proposal to close Windsor Day Centre (older people) and Oakbridge Day Centre (people with a learning disability) whilst retaining Boyn Grove. Over a hundred survey submissions were received from a various range of people who use Day Services.

The responses conveyed that most people wanted the services to change so that it was better for everyone whereby people could access a day centre and could day activities. In general, people wanted a blended approach.

Responses also stated a desire for a smaller, building-based day centre for people with learning disabilities in Windsor. Therefore, as part of the consultation, this proposal was taken on board.

A Cabinet report was written and presented to Cabinet. On 25^th November 2021, the Council made the following changes to day services:

·       Boyn Grove Day Centre would stay open;

·       A smaller day centre in Windsor at the Mencap Hub building for people who need to be supported in a building so Oakbridge would be closed

·       Windsor Day Centre would be closed and older people will be referred to Boyn Grove, Old Windsor Day Centre and Spencer Denny Day Centre

·       “Out and About” services would be put in place so that older people and people with a learning disability have more choice about what they want to do.

At this point, Councillor Bateson announced that she was a trustee for Ascot Day Centre.

Victoria Holt, Community Development Manager, continued the presentation. She showed the panel the Windsor MENCAP. Work needed to be done to ensure it was fit for everyone, namely improve the personal care facilities with plans to extend the accessible bathroom.

Moving on, Victoria Holt explained that customers who use Oakbridge Centre would form a ‘Moving On’ group to ensure they were involved in the planning of the move. Customers would start to use The HUB for some activities as part of the transition.

Optalis had built partnership with organisations, such as Leisure Focus, Maidenhead Magpies and Norden Farm, to provide a range of activities for people in care. Optalis’ Supported Employment Service had also opened up opportunities for paid employment, voluntary and work experience with an Employment Coach.

Belinda Dixon, Senior Dementia Care Advisor, continued the presentation. She explained that Dementia Service were a point of contact which provided support, advice and information for those with dementia living across RBWM. The service provided a range of dementia-friendly activities, including themed small group activity sessions, CST Cognitive stimulation therapy courses, and delivering monthly activity packs.

Belinda Dixon then introduced the Boyn Grove Dementia Day Centre which offered a safe and stimulating day of activities for those with dementia, intending to help improve and maintain cognition, social skills and wellbeing. 

Belinda Dixon also announced that the day services was renamed to Community Lives to reflect how the services had developed over the years.

Councillor Clarke asked if there were services for residents in the south of the Borough (Ascot and the surrounding area). Belinda Dixon answered that anyone who paid RBWM taxes was welcome to these services and that residents from Old Windsor and Ascot who visited the Boyn Grove Dementia Day Centre. Alongside RBWM day centres, she stated that there were other day centres across the border as well as private day centre in which residents could access.

Councillor Sharpe followed that he was concerned that there was a difficulty for residents in the south of the Borough to access these day centres, and that even taking public transport would take too long for residents. Lynne Lidster replied that the day centres had Council-funded transports which brought people in care to the day centres like the Oakbridge Centre or the Boyn Grove Dementia Day Centre. She added that she would take Councillor Sharpe’s point.

Councillor Bateson asked at what stage did people get diagnosed with dementia. Belinda replied people could be diagnosed with dementia at a young age. She also explained that people can get mild cognitive impairment which was consistent with age whereby the processes of people’s brains slowed down when they got older.

Councillor Da Costa asked if Boyne Grove Day Centre was the only council-funded day centre. Lynne Lidster confirmed this and added that the Old Windsor Day Centre and Spencer Denny Day Centre received Council funding as well.

Councillor Da Costa then asked what the percentage of these day centres were council funding compared to self-funded. Belinda Dixon answered that she could not answer as the percentage changed regularly, but speculated it was roughly 50-50.

Councillor Tisi asked how people with dementia became aware of the services, whether they were informed upon being diagnosed or had to seek the services out. Belinda Dixon answered that if they were diagnosed through the memory clinic will have the contact details of the services in their letter of diagnosis. In addition, the social services can be referred to by GPs and charities. They are also referred to on the Council’s website.

Councillor Tisi then asked if there were going to be more surveys of families and service users when the new service was embedded to see how well it was performing and transitioning. Lynne Lidster and Victoria Holt answered that the surveying of people was done on a daily and continuous process, adding that the services needed to ensure they sufficiently collect feedback and concerns from service users. 

Councillor Tisi then requested to see the MENCAP building at some point, to which Victoria Holt accepted.

Councillor Sharpe asked for the breakdown of the number of users from areas of the Borough who used the various services to gain an understanding of where they were came from. Lynne Lidster said she would provide the breakdown.