Towards a new model for day opportunities - a new way of delivering opportunities in Dorset

Ironman event - service disruption

The Ironman event takes place this Sunday 14 September in Dorchester and Weymouth. As some roads and car parks will close there will be delays, please check your route before travelling. Weymouth Recycling Centre will not be open and access to Dorchester Recycling Centre will be disrupted.

Progress so far

In 2021, and again in 2023, we asked people who use day opportunities about their experiences.

They told us they would like a wider choice of local activities with more flexible options. They also said that they wanted to be able to do activities during the evening and weekends.

Speaking to people has helped understand what people want from day opportunities. We need to change the way we deliver these to give people more choice and flexibility.

We are proposing to introduce hubs across the county. Here you could:

visit to find information
meet friends
find out what is happening in your area
join activities that may be of interest to you

The hubs will connect to a range of community activities (spokes) which will include:

specialist services
libraries
community centres
cafes
community groups

The community activities (spokes) will provide a wider range of activities. They will also offer more times people can use them, to include evenings and weekends.

Day opportunities are activities which will help you develop new skills. They will help you to maintain, or increase your independence or support your care needs. 

Day opportunities can be:

life skills training
support to find a job
time at a day centre
a sporting activity
clubs and social activities
less formal activities such as time with friends, nature walks or visits to the local town centre

Here is a short video about Tom's experience using a day opportunity.