Public consultation on day activities to begin in August

West Sussex County Council wants your views on what day services and activities across the county should look like in the future.

The Developing Day Activities Project focuses on older people and working age adults who have a physical or sensory impairment, or acquired brain injury.

A decision has been taken by Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services Peter Catchpole to ask the public what they think about the proposed new model and the type of day activities they would like to see available in the community.

The consultation will run for three months from August. There will also be six public meetings where people can hear a presentation on the proposals, ask questions and raise concerns. They take place on:

• Wednesday August 18, from 6.30pm to 8pm, in Roffey Millennium Hall, Crawley Road, Roffey, Horsham, RH12 4DT.

• Thursday September 2, from 6.30pm to 8pm, Midhurst Rother College – Riversite Hall, North Street, Midhurst, GU29 9DT.

• Tuesday September 7, from 6.30pm to 8pm, in The Venue, Spur Road, Chichester, PO19 8PR.

• Thursday September 9, from 6.30pm to 8pm, in Crawley Town Football Club, Broadfield Stadium, Brighton Road, Crawley, RH11 9RX.

• Tuesday September 14, from 2.30pm to 4pm, in the Charmandean Centre, Forest Road, Worthing, BN14 9HS.

• Thursday September 16, from 2.30pm to 4pm, in the Windmill Entertainment Centre, The Green, Windmill Road, Littlehampton, BN17 5LH.

Peter said: “Research has shown us that residents want a wide range of day activities, rather than just attending a traditional day centre. We need to adapt our service and we want to hear from the public what they think of our proposed new model for day services.

“There will also be many opportunities for our current day service users to take part in the consultation as we want to ensure we get their views on the proposals.”

As part of the consultation there will also be an online survey and e-mail address where residents can send their views. Details will be announced nearer the time.

‘AIMING HIGH’ GRANTS – CABINET MEMBER’S REASSURANCE

West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member Pete Bradbury has made it clear that the ‘Aiming High for Disabled Children’ grant fund is to continue during the remainder of the financial year.

The fund pays for short breaks for families with disabled children in West Sussex.

Pete, who is Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said the Government has reduced many grants to local authorities in the current financial year, including West Sussex, as part of its drive to cut the national deficit.

The Government has also relaxed the ring-fencing that surrounds other grants to give local authorities more flexibility over spending decisions.

He said: “I am aware there has been some concern over whether this grant is affected.

“That is why I want to reassure parents who are receiving support that the ‘Aiming High’ grant fund is not being reduced, and the project will continue through to the end of March 2011 as planned.

“But, I must make it very clear that we cannot guarantee funding beyond this financial year.

“The future for ‘Aiming High’ will very much depend on the Government’s autumn spending statement, when it will set out future levels of support for local government and grant funded projects like this.

“I am very aware of the excellent support that ‘Aiming High’ has given many parents of disabled children in West Sussex since the main programme started in April 2009.

“I am glad to make it clear that the existing grant fund for schemes such as short breaks, and some capital projects, such as adapting buildings for disabled children, will not be reduced between now and the end of next March.”

Where to find a cure for the summertime blues

Crawley’s Buchan Country Park has found a cure for the summertime blues – an action-packed programme of family events.

Be down to earth with ‘Earth Explorers’ on Tuesday August 10 from 2pm to 5pm. Families can explore the heath and woods of the park.

David Attenborough fans can become ‘Wildlife Explorers’ on Wednesday August 11, from 10am to 1pm, where people attending the event can learn to be wildlife detectives and get up close to nature.

Other events through the summer include:

• Thursday August 12 – Pond Explorers – Pond dipping for beginners, from 1pm to 4pm, where the secrets of the watery world will be discovered.

• Tuesday August 17 – Walking with Ancestors – Walk in the footsteps of people from the past and find out how they used wild plants, between 1pm and 4pm.

• Wednesday August 18 – Bugs, Bees & Butterflies – From 10am to 1pm, enter the world of insects!

• Thursday August 19 – Going Wild with Art – Using natural materials to create 3D sculptures. Event is from 1pm to 4pm.

• Tuesday August 31 – Holiday Maps – From 10am to 1pm, get arty and create a Buchan Park postcard.

• Wednesday September 1 – Orienteering – Between 1pm and 4pm, learn how to use a map and compass and never be lost again.

The events cost £4 per child (aged four to 14) per session – accompanying adults are free. No unaccompanied children are allowed.

Deborah Urquhart, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy, said: “There’s fun for all the family at Buchan Country Park this summer. It’s a great way to do activities together as a family that are not expensive.”

For more details about the event and to reserve places, call 01293 542088. More information about the park can been found at www.westsussex.gov.uk/buchan.