A state of the art day centre in Liverpool featuring a hydrotherapy suite and recording studio opens on Monday 14 July.
The Lime community hub in Kensington, which supports 150 people with learning disabilities, has benefited from a £1.5 million makeover.
The hydrotherapy and health suite will be used by disabled service users to allow them time out of wheelchairs, for health classes and injured service personnel undergoing rehabilitation. It also includes a bookable spa for clients to relax with friends in a safe environment and a trampoline to provide ‘rebound therapy’ exercise sessions.
There is much more of a focus on providing services for younger people, in a bid to reverse a decline in the numbers using day centres.
Other features at The Lime include:
• A café with free wifi run by service users to gain hospitality and food hygiene skills
• A radio shack to record interviews and podcasts (with Liverpool Community Radio)
• A recording studio with keyboard and drum kit to provide music therapy
• A performance space with a stage to put on shows and events
• A hi-tech, interactive 4D theatre to bring to life photos, videos and sounds
• A games room
The facility will be opened by Mayor Joe Anderson with a special World War One themed event, including a street party featuring service users in period costume, songs and a drama performance by the Lime Glee Club.
Deputy Mayor and Cabinet member for adult social care and health, Councillor Roz Gladden, said: “This is a top class facility which will offer a wide range of services for not only people who use day services, but also their families and local residents.
“This is a significant investment in a new kind of care facility which is completely changing the way in which we deliver services to make sure they meet the needs of all of the people that require care.
“We want to reverse a decline in the use of our day centres by creating facilities that people of all ages want to use. Our focus is very much on providing activities tailored to the needs of each individual, rather than simply offering them a narrow range of options.”
The centre will also give advice on employment and housing and serve as a place for people to meet and hold events such as dance classes and social events.
Lee McCarren, chief executive officer, Forrest, the building contractor overseeing the refurbishment, added: “While Forrest abides to the highest socially-responsible standards on all of its projects, at The Lime our trained operatives were required to be especially sensitive to the needs of patrons who continued to access the centre during the works programme.
“Our approach meant minimal disruption to service users, while the much-needed refresh and expansion will allow The Lime to extend its offering to help even more vulnerable adults and their families.”
The investment in The Lime is part of the council’s £6 million ‘Transformation’ plan for services which is seeing six Health and Wellbeing ‘hubs’ created across the city to provide help and support for people with a range of conditions including people with dementia and those recovering from strokes.
