Ealing Council plans to transition services currently offered at the Michael Flanders Resource Centre and the Cowgate Day Centre to an improved four-site model
Ealing Council is undertaking significant enhancements to its adult day centre services, aiming to provide superior support for local residents living with dementia, learning disabilities, and autism. These changes come after extensive consultations with families, carers, service users, and staff members, who collectively emphasised the importance of shorter travel times, a wider range of activities, and services that cater to individual needs and interests.
The council plans to transition services currently offered at the Michael Flanders Resource Centre and the Cowgate Day Centre to an improved four-site model. These new locations, spread across Acton, Greenford, and Southall, will offer greater flexibility and accessibility. The expanded model will provide service users with more opportunities to engage with their local communities, fostering a more inclusive environment.
The new sites will potentially operate with extended daytime hours, weekend and evening services, depending on demand. This initiative aims to reduce travel times and create a more welcoming, modern environment closer to where people live. Additionally, there will be an increased focus on community-based activities, offering more choices that reflect residents’ preferences and needs.
Residents using adult day centre services will have the option to use Direct Payments, allowing them to choose day services provided by voluntary organisations instead of the council. They can also make their own travel arrangements. The council is actively collaborating with the voluntary sector to expand the range of day services available for local residents.
Over 200 participants engaged in 21 consultation sessions, highlighting the need for more varied activities, better transport options, and skills-based programs for younger adults. These insights have been instrumental in shaping the new adult day centre services, which prioritise choice, independence, and local access.
Denis Crowe, who attended the Michael Flanders engagement sessions, praised the process as “fair, thorough, and illuminating.” He acknowledged that while concerns exist, the consultative nature of the project is appreciated.
Anna Nowakowska expressed her satisfaction with the planned expansion of day services for people with dementia across the borough. She believes this will provide carers with much-needed respite while ensuring service users are in a supportive and familiar environment.
Fenn Foster, another attendee, welcomed the possibility of extended opening hours, emphasising the importance of respite for carers, especially on weekends. She highlighted the dignity adult day centres provide, enabling service users to remain in their homes with adequate support.
Jasmine Dotiwala OBE, whose mother is a service user at Michael Flanders, commended the council for handling the project with care and consideration. She noted the importance of improved staff training and skills around dementia and the value of having multiple centres across Ealing.
A woman who wished to remain anonymous appreciated the support from council staff at the Cowgate engagement sessions. She emphasised the importance of regular updates in preparing her family for the upcoming changes.
The borough is witnessing a growing number of younger people with learning disabilities and autism, many of whom will soon transition into adult services. The number of older adults living with dementia is also expected to rise. These demographic shifts necessitate flexible, community-based services capable of supporting both younger and older residents.
Current challenges, such as long travel times and underused facilities requiring extensive repairs, have driven the need for change. The Michael Flanders Centre, located within the Acton Gardens redevelopment area, will see construction activity continue for several years.
To address these issues, older adults and those living with dementia will move to Elm Lodge in Greenford and Sycamore Lodge in Acton. Adults with learning disabilities and autism will be supported at Martin House in Southall, with Cowgate Centre remaining open while a second site is identified.
Polly Knewstub, the council’s cabinet member for adult social care, emphasised the council’s commitment to improving access and services. “We want our residents to thrive,” she said. “These changes mean better access, better services, and more support for the people who need it most. This is not just about moving buildings. We’re building a more dynamic, inclusive service that fits the lives of our residents—whether that means support in the evenings, more choice in activities, or closer connections to the community. We’re committed to ensuring that everyone—whether young adults transitioning into services or older residents living with dementia—can access the care they need, in the way that works best for them.”
The council’s initiatives reflect a forward-thinking approach, prioritising the needs of residents and their families while fostering a more inclusive and supportive community environment.
