Best practice makes perfect sense for new centre

A new multi-cultural day centre which caters for the physical and social needs of elders by offering a provision which is appropriate to their individual needs was formally opened today [Monday 6^th November].

Situated on Reginald Terrace - off Chapeltown Road, Leeds - the Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic (BAME) health and wellbeing hub is intended as a model of good practice, meeting the specific needs of minority ethnic older people, improving health and wellbeing and building on strengths in the community.

Cllr Rebecca Charlwood, Executive Member Health, Wellbeing and Adults, said:

“This is another example of the way we are changing how we deliver service provision in Leeds. By building on the strength of community connections and relationships we can reduce isolation, helping support people with care and support needs through these key community support networks.

“By making sure services are designed in conjunction with communities and flexible to meet future changes and needs, we are rising to the challenge of the changing population in the city and the different requirements and opportunities that come from this.

“This will also inform the way mainstream services operate, helping appropriate provision to be delivered for the growing minority ethnic older people population.”

The centre is a purpose-built single storey building with wheel chair access to all parts. Originally established at the same time as Leeds Black Elders Association in 1991 and known as the Frederick Hurdle Centre, it has been refurbished and redesigned to meet the needs of people in the city for coming years, based on careful analysis of needs and the views of potential service users.

The remodelling helps bring together Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic groups across the city, offering a new amalgamated service to serve a diverse Leeds population including 140 different ethnic groups. It will run groups and activities, clubs, events, also signposting to new services, a meeting space and café.

Cath Roff, Leeds City Council Director of Adults and Health, said:

“People who want to make use of BAME Health and Wellbeing Hub can be referred for support from a range of health and care services, and following appropriate assessment, will be offered a time and day to attend a pre-visit at the centre. They can then make sure it will meet their needs and they can then access support to make sure they can live a better quality life.”

http://www.leeds.gov.uk/residents/Pages/BAME-Health-and-Wellbeing-Centre.aspx