Enter and view: Derby Day Centre, Ormskirk

Healthwatch Lancashire visited Derby Day Centre in November 2023. The centre supports older people, people with disabilities and people with early-stage dementia, providing day services for up to 20 clients. Overall, feedback was positive, with clients describing a friendly and welcoming environment and staff demonstrating strong relationships with those who attend.

The visit found that staff were caring, attentive and knowledgeable about clients' individual needs. Activities were available throughout the centre, and clients appreciated being consulted about what they wanted to do. However, both clients and staff identified opportunities to make fuller use of the building, improve activity provision and increase access to the outdoor area. 

Key Findings

• Clients generally enjoyed attending the centre and described it as friendly and welcoming. 
• Staff were observed interacting positively with clients, using names, encouraging participation and providing attentive support. 
• Activities included chair exercises, quizzes, crafts, nail care, hand massages and occasional community outings. 
• Clients felt they had some choice over activities, but several wanted greater variety and more planned activities. 
• The outdoor space was underused because of accessibility issues and maintenance needs. Several clients expressed disappointment that they could not use it more often. 
• Some areas of the building, including an activity room, salon and training kitchen, were not being fully utilised. 
• Staff were positive about working at the centre and described strong relationships with clients. 
• Dementia-friendly features were limited, with appropriate toilet signage present but little additional dementia-friendly wayfinding or orientation support. 

Main Recommendations

Healthwatch Lancashire recommended:

1. Improving the accessibility and maintenance of the outdoor areas. 
2. Promoting greater client independence and choice throughout the day. 
3. Reviewing staffing arrangements to support activity delivery during busier periods. 
4. Ensuring the building remains secure by keeping entrance doors appropriately locked. 
5. Organising and utilising existing resources and unused spaces more effectively. 
6. Developing a clearer programme of activities, including an activities coordinator role and activity timetable. 
7. Increasing dementia-friendly design features such as signage and clocks.

Conclusion

Healthwatch concluded that Derby Day Centre provides a caring and supportive service that is valued by clients and delivered by a committed staff team. The main areas for improvement focused on enhancing activity provision, supporting independence, making better use of available facilities, improving the outdoor environment and strengthening dementia-friendly practices. The provider accepted most recommendations and outlined plans to improve activity planning, room utilisation, outdoor maintenance and dementia-friendly features.