Sidcup Day Centre Grand Opening

Age UK Bexley were delighted to formally open their new set of services at the charity’s Sidcup Day Centre.

Age UK Bexley were celebrating the opening of their expanded day care facility in Sidcup with the help of staff, volunteers and borough councillors. Forming part of the charity’s broader look at how it works to meet the changing demands of later life for older people in Bexley the new service will increase access for those with more complex support needs. Age UK Bexley care services have a strong local history of support to people who have enhanced needs because of their physical frailty. With demand for respite services to carers an increasingly critical issue across the borough as rates of dementia continue to rise the charity has added dementia day care to its core offer in response. The opening also represented the starting point for the new initiative with a range of suitable activities available, which will be both therapeutic and stimulating. Councillor Eileen Pallen opened the new centre with Cabinet Member for Adult Services Brad Smith, and councillors Stefano Borella and June Slaughter also in attendance to get the views of those using the service.

Councillor Eileen Pallen said on the new service

“I am delighted that those people previously using Age UK Bexley’s Bushy Court service have settled into the new service at Sidcup. I can say that the charity’s staff will make every effort to make them feel welcome, and as I have seen myself, will also go above and beyond to help people where and as they need it”

Amanda Coshall, the Day Services Manager added

“We place the individual at the heart of the service, we actively encourage independence and that the person spends their day with us retaining life skills and being part of a group where friends are important. We aim to make people feel good, help stabilise conditions and relieve isolation. The move to Sidcup has been a good decision and it gave all the people attending more people to socialise with.  I personally would like to thank everyone who supported us during the move.”

Guy Stevenson, Chief Executive says: -

“The formal opening of our upgraded day care service at Sidcup represents an important milestone in the way the charity’s services must develop to reflect the changing needs of older people in Bexley. I have been impressed with the way both the staff and more importantly those using the service had adapted. This will continue to be critical as we build a service that values the knowledge, skills and desires of older people

For more information about day care services, please call Amanda Coshall on 020 8309 9557 or visit the charities website at https://www.ageuk.org.uk/bexley/