Enter and view: VIVO Social Drop-in Group

Healthwatch Cheshire West conducted an Enter and View visit to a drop-in session run out of St Wilfrid's Church, run by VIVO, for people with additional needs.

This is an informal drop-in, self funded from participants, which appears mainly to cater for those with special needs - many of whom are service users at other VIVO-operated facilities. St Wilfred's Church Hall is used by the group – this is a reasonably well equipped Parish Centre that provides enough space for activity but also a social setting for the group. Healthwatch Cheshire West Authorised Representatives were told that the basic costs in running the drop-in were £40 per week to cover the cost of the hall. This cost was raised by the sale of drinks and snacks and small charges for additional activity e.g. raffle.

Representatives feel that the drop-in group would benefit from additional external funding to remove the need for the group to rely on food, drinks and snacks sale. A grant of around £50 a week would allow the groups own income stream to pay for additional activity. The participants of the group are people who can achieve a great deal with very little in resources, but they deserve better financial support in order to fulfil their potential. Provision of a portable hoist would greatly improve facilities for those with mobility difficulties.

Staff said that the majority of Service Users attended with either a paid member of VIVO staff or individual Personal Assistant. The majority of attendees travelled to the centre from Northwich, Winsford and Frodsham. Although the group was open to all, staff commented that most participants had been signposted to the centre by social care staff or a personal assistant.

No recommendations were made and no provider response is included in the report