The development of the Day Centre Resources Hub was led by Dr Orellana, research fellow, King’s College London, from ARC South London’s social care theme. She introduced the Hub and explained why and how it was developed, its content and plans for the future.
The discussion after her presentation was animated and one commissioner was keen to be involved in future research. The group felt that, in their region, day centres are very much valued by many older people and people with disabilities. After a post-Covid dip, demand for day centre places has grown yet this is not reflected in older people’s services budgets. Trends around numbers of places being provided in different areas differ enormously.
The group felt that many commissioners lack a full understanding of what day centres do and offer, what people like/don’t like about them and how these services are potentially an economical way of providing services. It would be helpful if social workers requesting day centre places, detailed the reasons for these requests to help people making decisions about approval and to support a move towards outcomes-based commissioning.
This is a wonderful resource for those commissioning and delivering day services and I know that group members found it very helpful. (…) I will circulate all the brilliant material that you have sent as I am sure that will be greatly appreciated.(…) your material outlining the value of day centres is timely
Read more about the development of the Day Centre Resources Hub