Help and Care Supports Dorset Council in its review of Day Centres
MEDIA RELEASE
NOVEMBER 2007
Help and Care support review of day centre services
Local charity Help and Care is supporting Dorset County Council’s proposal to reorganise day care services.
Help and Care works closely with communities listening to the needs of older people and carers in the area and welcomes plans to modernise the approach to day care.
Mark Sharman, Chief Executive of Help and Care said: “It is time to rethink how people, young and old, who need day-care receive the support that they need. It is vitally important that people with care needs get the right kind of support, tailor made to meet their individual requirements. Help and Care agree with the councils plans to have an extensive consultation before any major decisions about day centre services are made and believe it is the most effective way of understanding what is required.”
Mark Sharman continued: “If I was 80 and needed support during the day I would want to be the one that dictated what kind of care I got, I’d want to be taken to the pub with my friends and eat food that I chose myself. I believe that the review of the care centre services will help to cater for individual needs and help begin to deliver services that improve quality of life.”
Marianne Lambourne, Director of Development for Help and Care added: “We are not against day centres as long as people have chosen that kind of support and are keen to go, it is so important that their carers get a break from caring. But people need choice and most people in the past wouldn’t even have thought to say ‘actually I want something different’ but now people can.”
Editor’s Notes:
About Help and Care:
Help and Care is an independent, people-led organisation which has been working with older people, carers and local communities in Bournemouth, Dorset, Poole and surrounding areas since 1985. Help and Care has evolved into a large voluntary organisation at the forefront of delivering partnership services with the public sector and developing a range of innovative information and support services whilst maintaining effective engagement with local communities.
Help and Care is a people-centred organisation, setting the agenda for a holistic range of services and activities aimed at maintaining independence and quality of life. The organisation continues to develop innovative ideas and solutions to bring about positive and socially just change in the lives of people. Mark Sharman, Chief Executive of Help and Care, was awarded an OBE and an Honorary Doctorate in 2003 in recognition of the importance of the work of Help and Care.
The organisation is increasingly associated with national and regional initiatives and policy development, including its work with the Older People’s Programme and Patient and Public Involvement in Health. To reflect its increasing role in contributing to national policy and service development, Help and Care has become a national and regional charity and formed a new company, Help and Care Development Limited.
Help and Care’s primary values are putting people first and ensuring an understanding of their aspirations not just their needs.
Help and Care is a Company Limited by Guarantee
Registered in England and Wales
Registered Company No. 3187574
Registered Charity No. 105505