Ealing Council is making big improvements to its adult day centre services to provide better support for local people living with dementia, learning disabilities and autism.

The changes follow extensive engagement with families, carers, service users and staff members, who shared what matters most to them, including shorter travel times, more activities, and services that reflect individual needs and interests.

Here’s what’s happening:

• services currently at the Michael Flanders Resource Centre and the Cowgate Day Centre will move to an improved 4 site model, in locations across Acton, Greenford and Southall (more details below), offering greater flexibility and accessibility for service users with more opportunities to connect with the local community
• the expanded offer may include longer opening daytime hours, weekend and evening services where there is the demand, and increased access to activities within the community. These improvements aim to reduce travel times and create a more welcoming, modern environment for all, closer to where people live
• there will be more activities based in the community and more choice to reflect resident’s wants and needs
• residents that use adult centre day services will also have the choice to use a Direct Payment so they can choose a day service provided by a voluntary organisation instead of the council or to make their own travel arrangements.
• the council is working with the voluntary sector to improve the range of day services available for local residents

Community-led change

More than 200 participants took part in 21 engagement sessions, highlighting the need for more varied activities, better transport options, and skills-based programmes for younger adults. Their voices have helped shape new adult day centre services built around choice, independence and local access.

Denis Crowe attended the Michael Flanders engagement sessions and said: “The process has been fair, thorough and illuminating.

“Naturally there will be concerns and we need to go through the journey. and I do appreciate the consultative nature of the project.”

Anna Nowakowska attended the Michael Flanders engagement sessions. She said: “I am pleased that there will be 2 options for people to attend a day service for people with dementia across the borough. This will help carers to take a break from caring while the service user goes to a happy environment with staff that treat people as part of a family.”

Fenn Foster also attended the Michael Flanders engagement sessions and said: “I’m glad to hear the council is looking into the possibility of extending opening hours.”

She said this would give carers the opportunity for respite, particularly on weekends, and explained: “If you can’t take time for yourself, you can’t take care of anyone else. Having that time, you think ‘I can plan something and do something’.”

Fenn said her mum wants to be in the community with people who understand her, and adult day centres help give service users the “dignity” to remain in their own homes whilst receiving support.

Jasmine Dotiwala OBE is the daughter of a service user at Michael Flanders. She said: “The council has handled this project with due care and consideration of everyone’s concerns as we are anxious of any changes due to the high needs of service users.

“Families have been walked through the project slowly and with patience and the council has answered all of our questions.

“The plans to further improve staff training and skills around dementia are positive. It is important to have more than one centre across Ealing.”

A woman who wished to remain anonymous praised the support from council staff at the Cowgate engagement sessions. She said: “I am being kept in the picture of what’s going to be happening.”

She said her daughter has severe learning difficulties and the sessions have helped prepare the family ahead of the upcoming changes.

She said: “Without these meetings I wouldn’t have been able to do that, so I’m grateful and appreciate the regular updates.”

Meeting modern needs

The changes aim to make services more accessible to people across the borough by introducing better flexibility and extended hours, while continuing to support carers and families.

Taking this new approach will place a stronger focus on community activities, and residents will have more choice in selecting activities that meet their individual needs, interests, and aspirations. 

The borough is experiencing 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 in the borough is also expected to rise. These demographic shifts require services that are flexible and community-based and able to support the needs of both younger and older residents. 

Challenges at the current centres, such as long travel times and underused facilities requiring extensive repairs, have driven the need for change. In particular, the Michael Flanders Centre sits within the Acton Gardens redevelopment area, which 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, whilst a second site is identified

Looking ahead

Councillor Polly Knewstub, the council’s cabinet member for adult social care, said: “We want our residents to thrive. 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 is continuing to work with service users, carers and families and staff to further develop and implement the new arrangements over the next year. You can find out more information about the plans on the Ealing Council website.