Ampthill Day Centre review
Following extensive mapping and engagement, including pilots and activities with Ampthill Day Centre service customers, we developed a proposal for a new enhanced day service.
The new model
At its meeting on 4 December 2018, the Council’s Executive approved a proposal to implement a new day centre model as an alternative to Ampthill Day Centre and subsequently close the current centre.
In 2019 we created a main day ‘hub’ at the Silsoe Horticultural Centre. We made significant adaptations to the existing site so that it could operate as a base for customers with learning disabilities, whilst also accommodating older people with a range of care and support needs. This hub is now known as The Beehive and opens every day between Monday and Friday. The hub may suit those with higher care needs or those who prefer the stability of attending the same place every time they visit.
In addition, venues were set up across the local area on different days. These venues are in Grand Union Housing Group sheltered housing schemes that provide a homelier setting and are more local to the people that use the service.
Customers were supported to move to their new venues in January 2020 and once they had all moved, Ampthill Day Centre was decommissioned.