Towards a new model of Day Opportunities - Consultation goes live

A three-month consultation on a new way of delivering day opportunities across Dorset has gone live today (11 March).

The Hub and Spoke Day Opportunities model consultation, which will run until 9 June, looks at changing the way that Dorset delivers day services by providing a network of core hubs in each area of the county that will support activities within local communities. It will support activities within local communities, reducing the need for people to travel, sometimes considerable distances, to reach daily activities and support that will instead now be provided within villages and towns.

The spokes represent the vast range of different organisations, including charities, churches, projects and activities that already take place across the county by our providers and micro-providers, including walking groups, swimming, volunteering, gardening, performing arts, lunch clubs and knit and natter groups. They will be supported by the work of the hubs in connecting people and providing support and advice to strengthen their offer.

There will also be several specialist services, which may be based in either the hubs or in the community that will support people with speech and language therapy, specialist equipment and facilities, hoists and sensory rooms.

The consultation follows extensive engagement in 2021 and 2023 about what people wanted from their day opportunities, where people told us that they wanted to have choice in the things they can do with their day, were keen to try new hobbies with support outside of the traditional day centres environment.

Councillor Steve Robinson, Cabinet Portfolio lead for Adult Social Care, said the proposals would give people greater choice and opportunity, moving beyond existing and traditional provision, while still provide bespoke support services for those with more complex needs.

"This consultation is a key strand within our vision of Communities for All. It aims to provide a large variety of choices to everyone who finds themselves in need of support whilst also reducing travel and helping local charities and groups provide the services that are needed in each community.

"We want to help every town and village have its own local offer, tailored to its local needs and aim to reduce the need for sometimes old and draughty buildings that are no longer fit for purpose.

"Through our Stakeholder Advisory Group we have been talking to the voluntary, community and social enterprise sectors around the design, development and delivery of new services as a key part of our future model. We are committed to continuing those conversations in the coming months, whilst placing existing users and their carers at the core of our consultations.

"We want to see more organisations, projects and services offering the option to access sessions and activities through direct payments or individual service funds, which will enable people to have more choice, freedom and flexibility to choose their activities and support."

The consultation will involve face to face meetings across the county, as well as series of online sessions. The first event took place at Stour Connect, Sturminster Newton earlier today.

Notes to Editors

Information about the day opportunities consultation can be found on our website - https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/better-days