People who use day care services in the BCP area are being urged to respond to a council consultation about their future.

As part of an ongoing review into 'day opportunities' in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area, BCP Council has launched a consultation over the future of the services.

Day opportunities are effectively day services - activities arranged by BCP Council and independent providers for young people and adults - which can help them to develop specific skills, meet new people and/or access employment or volunteering opportunities.

Read more: Day care services in BCP being reviewed by council

The council say the aim of this consultation is to 'gain insight' into what users of these services want day opportunities to look like.

"This feedback will be used to inform future decisions around how day opportunities are delivered and how they are currently meeting the needs of those who use them", a spokesperson said.

In August, the Daily Echo reported how a review of day care opportunities could lead to the permanent closure of some services and changes for others.

Several day care units have been closed since the start of the Covid pandemic and although many have since re-opened, several remain shut, a meeting heard.

The council spends around £6.5million a year on contracted day services with the council trading company, Tricuro, expected to account for over £5million of day services block contracts in 2022/23.

Read more: Livability closes three adult day care services in Bournemouth

Three of the eight day services offered by Tricuro have still not re-opened.

Many day services in the area are also contracted independently by people who receive direct payments.

A paper outlining the proposals for change is expected to be completed in December this year.

Councillor Karen Rampton, portfolio holder for people and homes, said: “We recognise how important day opportunity services are for many of our communities and we want to give people a chance to have their say on what these services will look like in the future, as we continue to work towards being accessible and accountable to our residents.

“We encourage anyone who is currently connected to our day opportunities or who may be in the future to take part in our consultation and help to shape the future of these services in our conurbation.”

The consultation closes for responses on 30 November. Find out more here: https://haveyoursay.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/day-opportunities-review-2022