However, residents have until midnight on 15 January to have their say on these proposals.

BCP council says it currently spends 93 per cent of the budget for day opportunities on building-based services. In comparison, community-based services are more cost effective and can be tailored to individual needs.

Tricuro, a trading company owned by BCP Council, manage eight building-based day opportunity services across the area.

During the covid pandemic, three of these buildings were taken out of use and have not since reopened.

There are two proposals being considered for the future of these buildings.

1. Retain three of the eight building-based ‘connect’ services in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and increase community-based services.
2. Close all eight building-based services and move to a full community-based offer. If people are assessed as needing building-based services, these will be commissioned from the wider day opportunities sector.

Cllr David Brown, portfolio holder for Health and Wellbeing, said: “Our commitment will always be to provide choice and opportunities to help people live their lives.”

If the council decides to take either of the proposals forward, changes would likely be introduced over a two-year period, from April 2024.

Log onto: haveyoursay.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/changes-to-day-opportunities