Day Centres in Bedford Borough reopen

Kempston Centre and Gadsby Street Day Centres, for people with a learning disability, reopened on Monday 5 October and Goldington Day Centre, for older people, will reopen on Monday 19 October.

During lockdown, Bedford Borough Council, along with councils across the country were forced to close its Day Centres. Although service users and families have been supported by staff throughout, they wished the centres to reopen as soon as it was possible.

Each centre has carried out full risk assessments to ensure that they take all of the necessary steps to maintain a safe environment for service users and staff. The first phase is the return of service users to Kempston Centre and Gadsby Street Day Centres who are living at home with family carers with no formal support in place. Goldington Day Centre will initially be giving priority to older people living at home who are at extreme risk of social isolation or require enhanced support due to their individual needs. The centres will be staggering start times and days and 'bubbles' of support where possible.

Councillor Wendy Rider, Portfolio Holder for Adult Services, said: "I'm really pleased to see our day centres reopening. They make such a difference to the people and their families who use them. I thank all staff, who have been working throughout lockdown to keep in touch and support families in extremely difficult circumstances for all."

Centre Managers will contact service users and their families to discuss arrangements and share plans.