Enter and view: Caritas Care Preston

Caritas Care Day Centre is situated in Preston and is based over two buildings. They offer a range of activities including disco, yoga, arts and crafts and trips out in the community. At the time of the visit there were 26 service users in each building and 11 members of staff in each building, with a total of 3 managers on site.

Healthwatch Lancashire representatives spoke to 13 service users and 11 staff members. Both buildings were secured with an intercom to alert staff members to grant access to visitors.

Building 218 is situated on one floor with a reception area, five larger rooms for activities and a smaller quiet space for one-to-one support. There are four bathrooms with one accessible shower room, a kitchen area and an office.

Marian House has two floors, the ground floor has one large room, two bathrooms and an accessible bathroom. The first floor has one large room, two smaller rooms, two bathrooms and an office. There is also a kitchen on the first floor.

At the time of our visit, all rooms were facilitating activities with service users engaged and being supported by staff members where necessary. Both buildings were accessible with a ramp and wide corridors to allow various walking aids and wheelchairs. All bathrooms were accessible and had handrails for support.

When Healthwatch Lancashire representatives arrived, service users and staff members were taking part in a clay sculpture activity. One member of staff was showing the service users pictures of sculptures they could make themselves on a large touch screen. The service users were sharing ideas with each other and the staff members.

All staff members appeared engaged and actively talking and supporting service users with their activities. The staff members were seen going round to individual tables and helping the service users where required.

Both staff and service users were welcoming on the day and happy to talk about the work they do and how they support individuals and each other.