A new community centre for adults with learning difficulties, autism and complex needs has opened in Sale.
Key Care & Support has integrated its community services into a newly refurbished hub on Dane Road.
It acts as a one-stop community centre for adults with a range of complex needs, providing an engaging range of educational and occupational sessions and experiences for people to enjoy, along with homecare and community support.
“We believe that whatever your needs are, living a quality of life you enjoy, and being part of your local community is important for everyone regardless of challenges people face,” said Kirsty Walker, who is Key Care & Support’s Operations Lead.
Key Care & Support was established in 2007 by Ian Finch, who is a registered nurse and registered nurse for people with learning difficulties.
Key Care & Support provide services across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire and North Wales.
The new Dane Road centre, The Hub, has opportunities for up to for up to 50 people a day and has recently been given a complete facelift, with a range of progressive, learning and fun opportunities both at the centre and within the wider community.
Inside are a range of rooms which can facilitate a variety of sessions focused on arts and crafts, carpentry ,photography, furniture restoration, gardening, music and movement and independent living skills sessions and much more.
There’s also a sensory room called the Chill Out Lounge, where people can go to take time out and relax in a calming environment, and an outdoor space is being remodelled to offer a sensory garden, gardening and horticulture classes. There’s also a kitchen to help increase adults’ cooking with confidence.
“We want to make it a place of fun and a place of social interaction for people, but also somewhere they can learn some of the life skills that will help live a more independent life,” said Kirsty, who has worked at Key Care & Support for nearly nine years.
“We want to make it a place of fun and a place of social interaction for people, but also somewhere they can learn some of the life skills that will help them become more independent.
"It’s really rewarding seeing people enjoying our centre and all it has to offer with a smile on their face.”
The Hub also has its very own nine-seater minibus with tail lift with capacity for wheelchair access, and an electric car for bespoke outings and transportation if required.
Many of the adults who use the Hub on Dane Road have been referred by local authorities, with whom Key Care & Support have excellent connections.
It also welcomes people who are in receipt of direct payments and want to contact the Hub directly, and specialises in supporting people who can at times challenge services, and offer a range of positive, productive opportunities to engage people, therefore reducing challenges to services as they learn to enjoy new experiences and opportunities.
A day a the Hub costs £60 per adult, and you can come in an enjoy a half-day taster session or simply have a cup of tea and a look around for free. If a person requires 1:1 or 2:1 support from our experiences team, a more bespoke package will be agreed. For more information, contact Kirsty Walker on 0161 804 8222, or email enquiries@keycareandsupport.com
