Long Wait Comes To An End As Day Centre And Home Are Set To Open

The long-awaited redevelop-ment of a Wimborne care home and day centre is nearly finished. Dorset County Council had searched for a site for the new Streets Meadow facility since 1997 and consulted widely with local people before building adjacent to the old home, which no longer met the required standards.

The care home was completed first, and the residents moved in almost a year ago. The old home was then demolished to make way for the development of the Hanham Centre, a new day resource facility.

The Hanham Centre incorporates a “sight and sound” centre for those with sight or hearing problems to try out particular pieces of equipment that might enable them to live more independently.

It will also provide a setting for health and social care staff to work together to provide rehabilitative support for older people. In addition the centre will be used by a number of community-based services.

The council’s head of adult commissioning, Gill Slade, said: “We have been asking people for their views on day services for older people and we also have to consider the impact of raising the eligibility levels for social care. I am delighted that we are so close to opening these facilities, which will enhance much-needed services for people in Wimborne and the surrounding area.”
David Crowhurst

“This has led us to develop a centre which, unlike a traditional day care service, brings lots of different service providers together under one roof to offer a range of facilities and support.”

Some community services have already started using the building. These include carers groups meetings, lip-reading classes, podiatry and falls clinics, and a mother and baby group.

There are also plans to base an occupational therapy service at the centre later this year. Partners in the new venture include health organisations, such as the Primary Care Trust and local GP, and the council’s adult education service.

David Crowhurst, cabinet member for Adult and Community Services, said: “I am delighted that we are so close to opening these facilities, which will enhance much-needed services for people in Wimborne and the surrounding area.”

Streets Meadow and the Hanham Centre will be officially opened later in the spring.