Care and support

Geddings Day Service

Pindar Road
Hoddesdon
Herts EN11 0BZ
(Click on the link on the right called 'See a map of this area' and zoom in on the map to show the exact location)
Tel: 01992 469366
Fax: 01992 471851
E-mail: geddings.dayservice@hertscc.gov.uk

Geddings provides and co-ordinates a wide variety of day activities and personal support for adults with learning disabilities. Our large staff team offers a variety of skills and has extensive training and experience in working with people who have learning disabilities.

We enable our clients to be as independent as possible, make choices and get the most out of life by:

Providing support tailored to their individual needs.

Helping them to develop new skills.

Encouraging them to meet new people and make friends.

Helping and supporting them in managing everyday activities.

Services at Geddings main site include:

Transition which welcomes new clients, enabling us to get to know them before decisions are made with them about their activity programme and the groups they will join. Other clients in Transition are in the process of moving from one part of our service to another or on towards further education.
Transition clients take part in a varied programme of activities, run in conjunction with Hertford Regional College.

The Annexe, a small unit within the grounds of Geddings, caters specifically for clients whose behaviour requires consistent and specialised support. Annexe clients take part in a varied programme of social, creative, leisure, further education and living skills activities.

Amber and Tiger Eye (Special Needs and Special Care)
The clients in these groups have multiple and profound learning disabilities. We work in partnership with Hertfordshire Regional College in providing an activity programme which includes intensive interaction, gentle physio-exercise, relaxation through music and multi-sensory stimulation in our ‘Snoozelen’.

Emerald and Diamond Groups provide for the needs of our older clients, supporting them in retaining their individual skills through a programme of shared interest, reminiscence, social activity, speech therapy, community outings and college courses.

Outreach is the range of services that we provide in other locations away from the Geddings main site. Outreach clients are offered opportunities to develop their independence through a personally designed programme of activities and experiences located in a variety of venues. The Outreach staff team work from Deerfield, a bungalow in Ware, and services include :
Deerfield - a small community base where clients are supported in developing their independent living skills using the bungalow’s homely environment and local facilities in Ware.
Lord Street - two groups of Outreach clients use a church hall in Lord Street, Hoddesdon as a base once a week. Some clients use this as a drop-in service whilst others take the opportunity to explore Hoddesdon’s facilities and weekly market.
Buntingford Project - some clients living in Buntingford and the surrounding area use the Buntingford Day Centre once a week. Outreach Staff support them to develop independent living skills and to explore their local community.
Acres Therapeutic Work Centre - offers clients the opportunity to undertake therapeutic work. Those who want to find out more about working can attend training provided by Employment Direct (now part of Work Solutions).
Outreach staff also support clients to access college courses, learn how to travel independently, explore local community facilities, do voluntary work, work experience or part-time paid employment. They also provide some support for a few people in their own homes to help them to live more independently.

Out of Hours
For clients living with their parents, relatives or independently, we offer additional leisure activities and outings in the evenings and on Saturdays.

Holiday Activities
During college holidays, all Geddings services devise an alternative leisure-based programme of activities.

Involving Clients
We encourage and enable clients to explain their needs and express their views. All clients have individual support from named link workers who are responsible for ensuring that their clients have individual care programmes to meet their specific needs. They also help their clients to express their opinions about the services they receive and try to facilitate any changes requested.
Individual aims and objectives are usually agreed through a formal Annual Review Meeting with the client, carer, social worker and other relevant people. Each part of our service provision holds regular meetings to consult with its clients.
We also encourage clients to learn more about Self-Advocacy through courses provided at Hertford Regional College.

Wheelchair Access
Most of Geddings services are accessible for anyone with mobility problems and we have a variety of specialised equipment.

Transport is not automatically provided for people attending Adult Care Services. User’s needs will be assessed by the local Adult Care Services Area Teams to see if any support is needed with travel, and a variety of options will be explored. Where it is identified that the person requires specialist transport, the Area Team worker will arrange for it. Where transport is provided by Adult Care Services there is a charge to the person of £2 per return journey if they are assessed as being able to pay.

We are open 9am - 4pm Monday to Friday. The Out of Hours scheme times vary according to the activity.

Smoking
We ask people not to smoke at any of the Geddings establishments. There are designated areas where smoking is allowed outside the buildings.

Lunch is available every day at a set charge for all clients who use Geddings main site. It consists of either a hot dish or salad and a choice of a sweet, fruit or yoghurt. Packed lunches, vegetarian and special diets can also be provided. An additional charge is made for refreshments provided in the morning and afternoon.

To find out more about Geddings services you should contact your social worker or click on the 'Contact Adult Care Services' link on the right.