A Plympton woman has realised a long-held ambition to open her own adult day care centre.
Amber Haigh and her partner Steve have set up the Daisy Chains Adult Day Care Centre which will operate out of the old Jehovah’s Witness hall in Station Road.
For Amber the new venture is the next stage of a long career in the sector. She said:
“I’ve done health and social care for a long, long time. I started when I was 16, when I left school. Health and social care is in my heart.”
Amber considers the location of the centre is ideal for Plympton residents, situated in the heart of the town and will save clients having to travel into Plymouth city centre to source the type of facilities which will be on offer.
The building has had a new kitchen fitted, has ample parking and a large garden area will be a plus for events held at the centre. The centre has already been kitted out with an air hockey and pool table as well as with books and games ready to take the first clients.
Gardening and cookery clubs will be on offer and entertainment will form a large part of the offering, with a specialist entertainments co-ordinator having been engaged to pull events together. Live music and singing are among the plans.
Some events will be put on using in-house resources, but other people and organisations will be engaged for others and Amber is keen to hear from anyone with suitable ideas to put forward.
The centre will cater for adults with learning difficulties, people facing issues of loneliness and isolation as well as those with onset dementia who are still able to get out but need extra support.
It will also enable families to enjoy a bit of respite while their loved ones are engaged at the centre for the day.
It will be available to both private and socially funded clients and Amber is able to point people in the right direction to ascertain if social funding is available.
A COVID compliant open day was held on March 7 with the centre opening for business the following day on limited numbers as allowed by current rules applying to vulnerable people.
As COVID restrictions ease more clients will be taken on with the centre in normal circumstances being able to cater for up to 50 people.
The Plympton centre is not the end of Amber’s ambitions. She added:
“I’ll be looking to open a second and a third and my long term goal is to have my own care home.”
Daisy Chains Adult Day Care Centre can be contacted on 01752 342134, or by e-mail at daisychainhealthcare@hotmail.com or by searching Daisy Chains Adult Day Care Centre on Facebook.
(Story courtesy of the Plympton Podcast)
