Tuesday 3 September 2013

Care company opens Redcar learning disability drop-in service

A new learning disability drop-in service has been launched by Caremark at Redcar's Kirkleatham Business Park

Service user Alan Messenger with Caremark's Michelle Tart and Rebecca Scott
Service user Alan Messenger with Caremark's Michelle Tart and Rebecca Scott
A new drop-in service for adults with learning disabilities aims to plug a gap on Teesside.

The service, launched by Caremark (Redcar and Cleveland), aims to offer advice, practical support and information, develop simple life skills, foster and maintain social networks, increase independence and allow people to access new interests or activities and make new friends.
Caremark says it hopes it will help plug a gap caused by the closure of some council-run day centres.

Based at Redcar’s Kirkleatham Business Park, the drop-in centre, which is open seven days a week, includes a computer with free wi-fi access, a Nintendo Wii games console and a pool table that converts into a table tennis and air hockey table. There is comfortable seating, a creative area for crafts, a lounge and dining area and service users will have access to the business park’s on-site gym.

The drop-in service, which has created five new jobs, is available to adults with learning disabilities supported by Guisborough-based Caremark (Redcar and Cleveland), but the company says this could be extended in the future to others who would benefit.

Caremark (Redcar and Cleveland) managing director Charles Folkes said: “Following the closure earlier this year of council-run day centres for people with learning disabilities, we felt there was a need for a new type of service in the area and we are already experiencing lots of demand for our service. With the introduction of personal budgets, people with learning disabilities are taking greater control over their support packages and it is important to offer them services which will help to increase their independence in the community.
“We have had tremendous support in setting up the service and we would particularly like to thank the

Snooker and Pool Association who donated some fantastic cues for our service users through the Paul Hunter Foundation.”

People who want to use the service can do so via their local authority following an assessment, by using a Direct Payment or Personal Budget, or if they are self-funded. For information, call 01287 634706.

Article from the Evening Gazette
http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/care-company-opens-redcar-learning-5831511

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