Day care centre revised plans get underway

Powys County Council has approved a new locality-based model for day opportunities across the county, following the closure of the Park Street Day Centre in Newtown, which has remained shut for more than four years since the start of the Covid pandemic.

The cabinet decision, made in May, will see services delivered across 13 localities in a "hub and spoke pattern", with permanent bases in Welshpool, Newtown, Llandrindod Wells, Brecon and Ystradgynlais.

However, the announcement comes against a backdrop of sustained criticism over the handling of day centre closures during the pandemic and the subsequent consultation process.

The Park Street Day Centre closed during Covid when it became a vaccine centre, but it is "highly unlikely" that all centres will re-open as they were before Covid-19, according to social services officials.

Newtown & Llanllwchaiarn Town Council has repeatedly called for the Park Street Day Centre to reopen, with councillors feeling "most strongly that the Park Street Day Centre, was, and is, a relevant and important facility for the community".

The town council was not informed about a trial day service for older people that began in September 2024 at Hafan Yr Afon in Back Lane, despite their campaign for the Park Street centre's reopening. Cabinet Member Cllr Sian Cox later apologised for not informing the town council in advance about this trial provision.

Welshpool's Ann Holloway Centre was handed over the Town Council to run several years ago, but after realising its cost, the centre was closed. It has since been reopened by the Welshpool Haven charity who offer day services on certain days of the week.  

Under the new model, five Local Area Co-ordinators will be employed, one in each core area, along with three new Supported Employment specialist roles covering north, mid and south Powys.

Cabinet Member for a Caring Powys, Cllr Sian Cox, said the vision is for a model that supports people to live "healthy and rewarding lives, as valued members of their communities".

She emphasised that "everyone currently receiving a day opportunity will continue to receive one, whether through a traditional service, supported living, direct payment or other method".

The councillor stated there will be "changes to day services for people with learning disabilities, but no day services will stop". Where centre closures are proposed, services will be provided through supported living providers or alternative venues.

Recent council data shows a significant decline in day centre usage since the pandemic, with a third fewer people accessing services and a 30 per cent drop in available days.

Head of adult social services Sharon Frewin said: "Since Covid-19 we've seen dwindling numbers of people attending day services and people choosing to do different things".

Before the pandemic, 14 day centres operated, with 12 open five days a week. Post-Covid, only seven centres are open five days a week, with some operating just one day per week and two remaining closed.

However, some councillors have questioned whether the decline represents a genuine change in demand or reflects inadequate promotion of available services.

The council says all people affected by the changes have been offered individual meetings to discuss the plans, with each person to be offered a new day opportunity reflecting their specific needs, interests and abilities.

The new locality-based model is designed to work "in close partnership with communities, to build a real understanding of community provision and need", according to Cllr Cox.

The changes represent a significant shift from the traditional day centre model that operated before the pandemic, with increased emphasis on community integration and supported employment opportunities.