Modernising Day Opportunities for People with Learning Disabilities

Coventry had 5 day opportunities for people with learning disabilities. Changes in demand, need and expectations meant 2 needed to be modernised to meet the demand for community facing personalised services that support people with learning disabilities to become full, active and valued members of their local communities.

Gosford Community Hub

Gosford Community Hub (GCH) supports people with profound learning and multiple disabilities (PLMD), including those with health needs and/or health funding. The service is popular and remains in high demand, and supports carers to continue care and reduces the need for residential care.

It used to be based in an old Children's home. The building was in poor condition and it's design both reduced service quality and created avoidable risks. The old service was isolated and did not support community involvement.

With political agreement, and following extensive engagement with families, a new building was identified and staff worked with families to design the building layout, including a sensory room, a pamper room, a community cafe and a fully accessible 'Changing Place' toilet open to all. The new service at GCH was specifically created to meet the recommendations of the report 'Raising our sights' by Prof. Jim Mansell relating to people with PLMD

Gosford Community Hub aim to embed their service in their local community, so that people with learning disabilities can be full members of their community, not isolated from it. They are using their community garden to create and develop community links and encourage people supported by PAs or family members to drop in and use their facilities.

Curriers Close

Curriers Close began life in 1985 as a Supported Employment Industrial Packing service. Over the next 27 years the world moved on:

• there is now no demand for repackaged car parts
• Council's are no longer expected to deliver such services, particularly when competing with 3rd sector providers
• it is no longer acceptable to offer services 'for life', and in particular support should enable growth and development.

In July 2012 the packing service closed after a long process of engagement and consultation with people using the service and their families. In it's place a service that support skills development was introduced, supported by  specialist employment support, travel training and adult education services and a volunteer led buddy service supporting people to access community opportunities.