Thameside Families and Carers meeting

Summary of Thameside Families and Carers Meeting, Tuesday 25 October 2022 

Anne Shiels, Senior Operations Manager for Surrey Choices, hosted the meeting. 

Building Update

Work on Thameside commenced on Friday 16 September, with the view for completion around the start of December (date yet to be confirmed). 

The decision has been made to start the transition for the customers in the New Year as we are closing our services between and inclusive of Saturday 24 December 2022 to Tuesday 3 January 2023 and we felt starting introductions to Thameside and then stopping over the Festive Break would be unsettling for those transitioning from The Knowle to Thameside.  

Modification to Thameside to include: 

• A high specification kitchen with adjustable worktops, providing easy access for individuals who require a wheelchair 
• Two accessible toilet areas with overhead hoists  
• Activity rooms which can be interchangeable to flow with each activity 
• Outdoor space providing areas for raised beds and sensory gardening   

Open Day

On completion of works at Thameside, an Open Day will be arranged for all family members and support networks to visit the site and hear about our new activity programme. This event will take place before we start the main transition.  

Transition Action Plan

We will need time to ensure we scope the building with the necessary items and equipment, and we will be following this as per our ‘transition action plan’.  

The transition plan will start in the New Year and will be tailored to each individual so we are not rushing or causing undue unsettlement to anybody.  

Stage 1 (Day 1) will be visiting the new Thameside Hub for a morning drink and spending a short period of time there so individuals can familiarise themselves with their surroundings.  

Stage 2 (Day 2) will be visiting the hub for a while longer and engaging in an activity. 

Stage 3 (Day 3) will be staying for lunch and continuing to build the time up until we are spending the whole day there.  

 We expect this to take the first week of the transition, but it depends on each individual. The transition will follow people’s Person-Centred Plans, so if they have a community activity, this will still be followed alongside transitioning to Thameside.  

Activity Programmes

Over the past couple of months, we have undertaken a piece of work around the suitability and quality of our activity programme. We have identified that we need to ensure we are offering a more structured activity timetable which highlights the aims and objectives of each activity so it is clear what individuals are gaining from the activities they attend. We are introducing Learning Journals which will be presented at their quarterly internal review to track progress towards goals and achievements that the individual and their support network have set. The goals can be updated as people achieve them. The activity programme will be available in a ‘prospectus’ form showing our menu of opportunities and a description of each activity. This will be provided to the people who use our services to take home to family members.  

 In recent months we have widened our community-based programme with new activities offered to all. Examples include: 

• Accessible cycling 
• Horse riding 
• Walking groups 
• Health and wellbeing in local leisure centres 
• Bowling 

• Wisley allotments 
• Library groups 
• Exploring community groups  

It was agreed with the attendees that the next Families and Carers Meeting will be held on Wednesday 16 November 4.00-6.00pm. A zoom invitation will be emailed out next week. 

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