Health & Lifestyle | Posted on March 27th, 2025 | return to news
Residents respond to Dorset day centre closure proposals
Day centres across Dorset could be closed under new plans by Dorset Council to shake up care for adults with dementia or special care needs.
Day centres across Dorset providing care to adults with dementia or special needs face closure under new plans by Dorset Council.
The council believes many of these day centres are too big, inaccessible and not fit for purpose.
It is proposing replacing the current system with a ‘hub and spoke’ model. The council will maintain five centres as ‘hubs’ in different regions of the county to provide specialist services, therapy and equipment, while the ‘spokes’ will be connections to different organisations and activities across the region, such as walking groups, swimming, volunteering, gardening, performing arts, lunch clubs or knitting groups. These could be provided in the evenings or weekends, outside of the traditional day centre environment.
Dorset Council opened a public consultation on the proposals in March and residents have until midnight on 9 June to share their views.
Cllr Steve Robinson, Cabinet portfolio lead for Adult Social Care, said: “We want to help every town and village have its own local offer, tailored to its local needs and aim to reduce the need for sometimes old and draughty buildings that are no longer fit for purpose.”
In East Dorset, the council has proposed making Verwood Connect the region’s hub. But this would mean the likely closure of Ferndown Plus on Library Road. Ferndown Plus is operated by Care Dorset, but the council pays the costs of running the building and its services.
Warren Brown and Glynis Smith, who operate Ferndown COPD Support Group from Ferndown Plus, said closing the centre would be a disappointment. They added: “The Ferndown Day Centre is and has been a hub of activity for many elderly residents. It is central, easy to get too, has car parking at the back, buses are near and is very much part of the precinct of Ferndown.
“Residents find warmth, care and comfort hosted by tremendously caring and gifted staff. They have welcomed the COPD group, for which we have been very grateful.
“Verwood would not be a feasible option for the group, whereas increasing the users of Ferndown Day Centre would greatly improve the lives of Ferndown residents.
Asked about the closure, Ferndown Town Council said: “We are always concerned when there is a proposal which may lead to a reduction in services for our residents, particularly when it could affect vulnerable members of our community.
“The proposed closure of Ferndown Plus raises several key concerns, including the loss of a familiar and accessible service, potential difficulties with transport to alternative locations, and uncertainty about the suitability of new community-based activities.”
The council added that it is gathering data to determine the number of people who may be affected by these changes, which it will include in its response to the consultation. It strongly encourages residents to submit their feedback before the deadline on 9 June.
Similarly, in Wareham, the council has proposed closing the town’s day centre, Wareham Plus, claiming it isn’t used by enough people and parking issues mean people are unable to access the centre. The council will redirect resources to the nearby Purbeck Centre, which will serve as the hub for the Purbeck region.
A resident of Wareham who knows users of the local day centre and wished to remain anonymous challenged these claims. They said: “People have never been turned away or even spoken about the parking. The council bus transports most people there and they have two dedicated parking spaces. People that are dropped off can pull in right outside of the door to do this. Unless of course [the council] are thinking of pulling the plug on the transport as well.
“The Purbeck Centre is in an industrial area with no easy walking access to the town if needed. People that are living with dementia struggle with change and unfamiliarity. It can take a very long time to adjust, if they can adjust at all.”
Dorset Council is holding online consultations on 23 April, 7 and 15 May, and 4 June. To find details as well as answer a survey on the proposals, go to dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/w/better-days.
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