Care and support

Northwick Multi-Purpose Day Service

Northwick Road
South Oxhey
Herts WD19 6RS
(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: 0208 421 1891
Fax: 0208 420 2402
E-mail: northwick.dayservice@hertscc.gov.uk

Hertfordshire County Council’s Northwick day service provides services for up to 175 adults daily.

People from in and around the Watford and Three Rivers area who need day time care or support because of physical disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health problems or disabilities relating to age, attend the centre between one and five days a week. The centre is open Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm and Fridays 9am to 4.30pm, only closing on bank holidays. The centre is often used by voluntary organisations in the evenings and at weekends.

We improve the quality of life for people who use our services by creating opportunities for them to learn new skills and develop confidence, either within the centre or in the community.

Staff meet individual’s needs, both emotionally and physically, in a caring and supportive way and by creating an atmosphere people feel comfortable in and can enjoy themselves in through the companionship of friends and by taking part in various activities. We also aim to enable all our clients to continue living in their own homes as part of their local community.

We run a large range of activities including woodwork, pottery, art, craft, cookery, computing, gardening and we also run leisure activities such as darts, swimming, indoor bowls, pool, ten pin bowling and bingo.

Supportive sessions are arranged for people to participate in, such as reality orientation, stress management and keep-fit, and social activities at the centre, like quizzes, discussions and reminiscence groups.

We can also arrange for people to attend college and other appropriate placements.

We help people to get involved in activities outside the centre like trips and outings.

Special services we can offer include district nurses, opticians and dieticians, who all visit the centre on a regular basis. Community Psychiatric and Learning Disability Nurses, Consultant Psychiatrists and Geriatricians also provide additional support when necessary.

Our staff liaise closely with staff in psychiatric and multi-disciplinary services to offer a range of support to those people with mental health problems who use the service.

Our staff come from a variety of backgrounds and have extensive training and experience of working with people with differing disabilities and needs.

Every centre user is allocated a linkworker, a member of staff who provides individual support. Everyone also has a care plan, agreed with them, and tailored to their individual needs which is reviewed regularly.

For lunch, a choice of hot or cold dishes is available for a set charge and drinks are provided at tea-breaks and lunchtime.

The centre is fully accessible for anyone with mobility problems, including wheelchair users. We also have specialised equipment to help people when lifting, standing, eating and drinking.

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

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.

Users and carers are encouraged to meet regularly with staff to comment on the day to day running of the centre and to assist and advise on future developments.

Our Carers Support Group is for carers of people who use the centre. The group meets once a month and regularly has guest speakers. The meeting provides a chance for staff and the guest speaker to offer support and advice to carers.

For more information, or to arrange a visit, please contact us directly on 0208 421 1891.

If you would like to attend you need to contact your social worker or occupational therapist. Alternatively, you can contact our Customer Service Centre: details can be found by selecting the link on the left of this page called 'Contact us'.