Earley Day Service celebrates 10 year anniversary

Optalis’ learning disability day service (Earley branch) will be celebrating their anniversary - on Thursday July 11- of providing 10 years of care and support to adults with a learning disability. A barbeque will be held at the Crescent Resource Centre, where the team of staff are based, along with a disco and arts and crafts displays.

Over the past 10 years, the service has developed strong partnership links with nearby community venues such as Loddon Valley Leisure, Addington School, and the Crescent Resource Centre.

The range of activities and sessions on offer for customers has grown over the years, and the team is now working more effectively to help customers develop life skills and personal growth. They’re also working more effectively across service locations.

The team of staff have big aspirations going forward though - with plans to look at developing support arrangements for transitional students who wish to experience day services, and exploration into the possible introduction of new technologies to support service activities (for example, tablets, computer devices.)

Service Manager Tony Verdugo, who has been working in the service for the last 10 years, said: “It’s been a fantastic journey and I count myself very lucky to be working with and supporting the people who access day services. I would like to say a big thank you to my team for all their hard work and dedication.”

Nicholas Bradshaw, whose sister Debbie has been a customer of the service since it started, said: “Debbie has now been at the Crescent Centre for 10 years and during this time she has always looked forward to each and every day she visits. This is down solely to the extremely dedicated staff who are always very motivated and focused on providing great happiness, not just to Debbie, but to all those who use the service. A very big thank you to you all.”