West Sussex County Council’s Glebelands specialist day service is set to open its doors this month to people in Shoreham-by-Sea.
Glebelands offers a range of services such as activities, personal care, advice and information as well as helping people to improve their mobility in its newly developed mobility suite. It also welcomes local people to be involved in the centre through volunteering opportunities.
Glebelands specialises in working with people with acquired brain injuries as well as dementia care and those with other complex and longer-term needs who meet the County Council’s eligibility criteria. In addition it offers support and information to their carers.
It is one of eight specialist day centres that were developed by the County Council following the decision last year to move away from a one-size fits all day care service into specialist focussed provision.
Among those who have been helped at Glebelands is Rob Tingay, who takes part in a twice-weekly mobility program offered through the acquired brain injury service.
His wife Jenny said that Rob is now able to get out of his wheelchair and into his armchair at home without any help and is also able to get into her car without assistance.
She said: “It makes a big difference now he is wanting to do things himself. Even though it is a struggle for him, he doesn’t want any help.
“Attending the mobility program is the only time he really feels he can walk when he is using the parallel bars.
“Glebelands really benefits him as it does him a lot of good mentally and gives him his self-esteem back. It is his only way of meeting other people and socialising.”
Another is Margaret Kelly, who was supported by the community connector to access services in her local community, while Glebelands helped to improve her mobility with advice and input from the physiotherapy team.
Margaret used to lack confidence walking around the centre without help, but with encouragement from staff her confidence grew and she felt able to walk without needing to hold on to people.
This has improved her confidence in accessing community-based activities, about which Margaret said: “It was a big step and was a bit scary at first, but now I enjoy the activities and meeting new friends.”
Peter Catchpole, Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services, said: “We have worked very hard to develop the service at Glebelands for local people to access. We want to support customers to help them find a level of independence despite their many complex needs.”
People interested in visiting the centre should contact the manager first.