Official opening marks Kingsgate refurbishment and milestone for adult social care in Camden
The newly refurbished Kingsgate Centre, which is providing high quality care in Camden for older people and those living with dementia, was officially opened yesterday (Thursday, 10 May) by Mayor of Camden, Cllr Richard Cotton.
Between 2011 and 2016 there had been an 18% reduction in the number of people using day centres in Camden. Following extensive consultation about the future of adult social care in the borough, the decision was taken to refurbish the Kilburn-based Kingsgate Centre and integrate the services that were previously run from Raglan House, Netherwood Day Centre and Charlie Ratchford Resource Centre into it.
Having played a key role in its design and development, residents began using the completed centre in March this year. Today they joined families and carers, staff, local community organisations, Camden councillors, and local MP Tulip Siddiq, to celebrate the official opening.
The new centre features:
- a range of comfortable quiet lounges
- a projector screen room – for viewing movies and sharing the internet
- a therapy / hairdressing room
- a sensory room
- an art room
- a library
- an indoor sport table area
- Improved dining area
- additional toilets and personal care facilities
- outside courtyards.
Councillor Pat Callaghan, Cabinet Member for Tackling Health Inequality and Promoting Independence, said:
“It was great to officially mark the reopening of Kingsgate, representing a new chapter for day services in Camden.
“Kingsgate is a good example of shaping the facilities that we refurbish or build in Camden to meet the needs of the residents that will use it. It was really pleasing to see some of the design features reflect the opinions and feedback that were provided by residents, families and staff during the engagement events. There are some real personal touches throughout the building.”
Later this year the transformation of adult social care in the borough will move another step forward when the Greenwood Centre in Kentish Town opens. The centre will offer specialist services for people with learning disabilities, as well as having a specialist resource for people with mental health needs.
Both Kingsgate and Greenwood are key to Camden’s strategic plan ‘supporting people, connecting communities’, which launched in October and which talks about adult social care provision in Camden over the coming years.