A new day centre has opened in Hackney offering a range of activities and facilities for people with complex needs.

Oswald Street, was officially opened by the Mayor of Hackney, Philip Glanville and Deputy Mayor Cllr Feryal Demirci, Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care, Transport and Parks on Tuesday 30 October 2018.

The Mayor and Cllr Demirci unveiled a plaque to mark the official opening of the building, watched by service users, their families and carers and some of the Council’s partners.

The building is a state-of-the-art facility laid out over two floors and also includes a sensory garden, which was co-designed with people who use the service, their families and partner organisations such as Healthwatch in Hackney.

The Mayor of Hackney, Philip Glanville said: “The opening of Oswald Street is another milestone in realising our vision to provide the best facilities some of our most vulnerable residents in Hackney. This is a major investment in day centre services by the Council at a time of unprecedented cuts to local government funding. We’re committed to delivering high-quality innovative services focused not just on those who need this care, but also the staff, careers and others who directly support them. Oswald Street will be a real hub in the local community and will support people with the most complex needs.”

The opening of Oswald Street brings all existing day centre services together under one roof and will be used by people with a range of complex needs including dementia, learning disabilities, physical disabilities and autism.

Cllr Feryal Demirci said: “Opening Oswald Street marks the culmination of hard work, time and commitment by the Council working with partners and service users to improve and invest in Hackney day services for the future." 

The Council worked with service users, carers and partners throughout the design and building process to ensure the layout of the building, furniture and fittings met the needs of service users.

Oswald Street will also offer a programme of activities to support people who use the service, to remain as independent as possible.

The name of the building was also chosen by service users. It can take upto a maximum of 60 people at any one time. The facilities include a skills kitchen, on-site catering, a multi-media room and sensory garden.

Service user John Buffong who has transferred from the Trowbridge Centre to Oswald Street, said: "It is lovely. It is a lovely building and I will really enjoy sitting in the garden. I look forward to coming here.”

Carer Joan Dunne whose son will transfer from the Marie Lloyd Centre to the new building, said: “I’m really impressed by the new building. The Council has done really well in listening to the views of service users and their carers. It’s lovely that everything is together and I’m pleased with the location. They’ve clearly thought about the different needs of different service users in the design and layout - it is really good.”

All referrals to the service will be made as part of an Adult Social Care assessment. The service at Oswald Street, London, E5 0BT is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.