Eastgate boost

The Eastgate Day Services centre in Worksop is getting a £1.9 million revamp.

Notts County Council is transforming the centre at Albion Close as part of a £6 million modernisation of day care service buildings across the county.

The Eastgate scheme, the largest in the county, will see the interior of the building completely stripped out.

The revamped centre will boast four multi-purpose activity lounges, activity rooms, an audio sensory room and therapy room as well as a cafe, improved toilets and changing facilities for people with disabilities and a secure garden.

The building was used exclusively by people with physical disabilities, but the work will open up a range of activities to older people and people with learning disabilities.

The refurbishment will also allow Eastgate to offer a wider range of activities including arts and crafts and drama.

The building will also be available for use by the wider community, with groups able to hire rooms for meetings and activities.

Work is already underway, with the new look centre scheduled to re-open in the Autumn.

In the meantime, users of Eastgate are being accommodated at the nearby Greenacre Day Services building on Wingfield Avenue.

Notts county council decided to modernise its day services following a countywide review. The review found day services weren’t making efficient use of buildings, which were operating at an average of just 39 per cent of their capacity.

Coun Kevin Rostance, Cabinet member for adult social care and health said the county council’s investment in Eastgate would make a ‘huge difference’ for its users.

He continued: “It is the biggest in our countywide upgrade of day services buildings. When complete, existing users will be thrilled with the results and it will provide a welcoming environment for new users.”

“With the pressure on budgets we’ve had to be resourceful and imaginative with our review of day service provision.”

“However when all the improvements have been made and everyone is settled at their new look venue, I am confident we will provide a better, more modern service in more welcoming surroundings.”