Adult day care centre saved from closure

Adult services at Blandford Community Centre were under threat

A day centre for vulnerable adults in Dorset that was under threat of closure as part of a council reorganisation will stay open.

Activities will continue at Blandford Connect following a fight by campaigners.

A proposed shake-up would have seen services moved about nine miles away to Sturminster Newton.

But Dorset Council said the centre would stay open, with some children's services provision looking to share space at the site.

The authority is considering changes at six centres - Blandford, Swanage, Wareham, Ferndown, Shaftesbury and Sherborne.

It is still considering responses to a consultation that closed in June but says it acted in Blandford after listening to concerns.

Mark Tyson, the council's corporate director commissioning adult social care, said: "...as previously acknowledged, we have recognised the importance of the Blandford Connect service within the local community.

"One of the suggestions made... was to find other services to operate out of the centre. ...we are working on the possibility for Family Hub provision to run from the centre, together with a day service for adults.

"...the option is looking positive as a way of continuing to run a day service from the site and make much better use of the building."

Rob Mariner's wife, Mary, is a regular user of the services at Blandford

Rob Mariner's wife Mary has early onset dementia and is a regular user of the services at Blandford.

"Relieved is the overriding emotion because it was a bit of a worry.

"The [closure] news broke in the early part of the year and caused us an awful lot of uncertainty...", he said.

"It means there's continuity with the provision of service that we've known for years, so yes, we're delighted."

Lorraine Hawley, a former care worker at the centre, has been campaigning to save it

Lorraine Hawley is a former care worker at Blandford Connect and has led the campaign to save it.

"The clients are over the moon... They could not do without it.

"It was a very scary time for everybody involved. The anxiety, the stress and worry, not only have the clients had, but the staff and carers especially, they were so upset about it."

Dr Emma Briant's father received social care provision at Shaftesbury

Details have yet to be revealed of how the other centres may be affected.

Dr Emma Briant's father received care at the Trinity Centre in Shaftesbury for 17 years until his death last month.

"Things like games, they would do cooking, other activities, he would help with the garden, and it really gave him a sense of purpose," Dr Briant said.

"Also it was about community. These became his friends, his family."

She added other users were desperately worried about its future.

"People have mental health difficulties, my Dad had PTSD, the stability of their services is paramount.

"Saying you're going to provide something in its place elsewhere, that's not stability

"It's going to wreck lives. It will be devastating for the people and the community."

Simon Hoare, Conservative MP for North Dorset (right), joined users and friends of the centre protesting against its closure earlier this year

The Dorset branch of the Unison union has also voiced concerns.

Branch secretary Becky Brookman said: "The unions were not informed of this, we've heard it third-hand so that's disappointing, but it is good news in a way for Blandford that it's going to be saved.

"We do have concerns that eventually ...is it going to be what it is now?

"In Swanage they brought in children's hubs alongside adult service provision, and actually, the day centres diminished...

"Until we know more I would say, good, but let's wait and see."

A Dorset Council spokesperson said: "We are currently in the process of analysing the consultation feedback, including the returned surveys, so it's too early to comment on potential outcomes.

"A full report with clear recommendations will be presented to cabinet in December."