Source: City of Plymouth
The future of day services that support hundreds of adults with a wide range of social care needs, including those with disabilities and dementia, has been confirmed.
Day services help people to remain as independent as possible by offering a range of activities and support. This can prevent or delay the need for more intensive support packages while ensuring adults are safe and supported to live within their local community.
Plymouth City Council has extended its contract with 10 local providers of day services until October 2026, so that residents continue to receive the support they need while allowing time for a review of how these services are delivered.
Each provider has a different offer and supports people with different needs, but they all work to reduce social isolation, improve health and wellbeing and encourage involvement in the community.
Councillor Mary Aspinall, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said: “We’re committed to making sure that adults with social care needs in Plymouth receive the right support for them and that they are empowered to live as independently as possible.
“The range of day services on offer really helps by giving people the opportunity to socialise and make friends, learn new skills and try new activities. I’m really pleased that we’ve extended these contracts to ensure that the services continue while we explore plans for how these services may be look and be delivered in the future.”
The 10 providers of day services in Plymouth are: Age UK, Headway Plymouth, I-Grow Care and Support, Improving Lives Plymouth, Plymouth Highbury Trust, Plymouth Independent Living, Salutem Care & Education, Selborne Care, PLUSS and Yourway.
They work with adults with learning and physical disabilities, dementia, sensory impairments and those with mental health needs, as well as older people who experience social isolation and loneliness. Headway also works specifically with adults who have an acquired brain injury.
The service delivered by PLUSS focuses more on employability and helping people to develop their independence and skills, with clients having gone on to take on volunteering roles, paid employment and supported internships.
Collectively, the 10 providers deliver nearly 500 sessions per week and support more than 190 adults in Plymouth.
The total budget to provide these services in Plymouth is £1.5 million per year. Over the next 20 months, the Council will be seeking views from service users, their families and carers, professionals and service providers to help determine what the future of day services in the city looks like.