Have your say on ‘disability services day and work opportunities review’

Members of the public and service users are being asked to have their say on where “changes might need to be made’ to day and work opportunities for disabled people across the county borough.

Wrexham Council have launched a consultation on the future of social care provision in the area and where it could make changes to services provided at the Cunliffe Centre and the Erlas Garden project.

It forms the second part of a review into day and work opportunities currently offered at several organisations across Wrexham.

Back in December 2017 proposals emerged in that ‘Difficult Decisions’ consultation to cease a £4 a day wage for those involved with the day and work opportunities projects.

Last autumn saw a heated meeting during executive board members and councillors over plans to make savings of £334,000 by ceasing the business projects provided by Le Café, Coverall and Portable Appliance testing (PAT).

It was also proposed that the cafe at Alyn Waters cafe – which provides work opportunities for disabled people – was handed over to a new organisation to operate.

Last month it was confirmed that Groundwork North Wales would take over the running of  ‘Caffi Cycle’ – Welsh for Cafe of Opportunity – from April 1st.

As part of phase three of a review into day and work opportunities Wrexham Council are now looking for the service users and public’s views on how future services should be provided.

The local authority says the focus of “reshaping for Adult Social Care (ASC) is on promoting the independence of individuals and supporting them to achieve their outcomes within their own homes and communities wherever possible and enabling people to make full use of or recovery of their abilities and capacities.”

Details posted on the Wrexham Council news blog last week state: “The law around how Social Services work with people has changed. The focus is now on improving individuals’ well-being, and building strong communities which can help support individuals.

“We want to make sure that, wherever possible, people can maintain their independence within their own homes and communities. As such, we have to focus on preventing the need for services and developing more support in the community, by the community.

“So although this is an adult social care review, it’s really about people and communities – so it’s important we get feedback from as many people as possible.

“Even if you don’t have a loved one or relative who uses social care services, chances are you’ll likely have views on care and support and the way things need to go – so it’s important you have your say.”

As part of the consultation participants are invited to put forward their views:

– How to encourage individuals to access and participate in activities in their own community and have opportunities to do the things they want to do
– How to provide a range of opportunities in the community that are accessible to everyone
– What Wrexham Council need to do to ensure people with complex needs can access community-based support
– What opportunities and support there should be in the future
– What is important for carers and families

Cllr Joan Lowe, Lead Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said: “With demographics changing, and an increasing emphasis on the need to support individuals in their communities, we are going to have to make changes to the way we deliver social care in the next few years.

“But we can’t do that without public input, as it’s communities which will form an incredibly important part of how social care is delivered in the future.

“With that in mind, I’d advise anyone with an interest in care to take part in the review – it won’t take up more than ten minutes of your time, but we welcome any input and will need people’s views before we can make any definitive changes.”

You can take part in the ‘Disability Services Day and Work Opportunities Review’ consultation here until Sunday 31st March.