Day centres come in various shapes and sizes, run in different ways and offering different types of service.

Some are run by public service agencies, some by larger charities such as Age UK Cambridgeshire, and some by local independent charities and voluntary groups.  Care Network gets involved with these latter, independent day centres and is willing to:

• advise or help existing independent day centres run by voluntary groups, on request
• help local volunteers to start up new independent day centres.

These are the sorts of activities you would usually find at a day centre:

• a regular social gathering, often open once or twice weekly but somtimes more frequently
• morning coffee, a midday meal and afternoon tea
• transport to and from the event
• activities may be arranged (speakers, entertainment, exercise, crafts, etc)
• some larger centres can offer hairdressing, shower facilities, etc.

There may be a small membership fee, and usually there is a modest fee for attending on each occasion.  Some meet in local village halls or community rooms, while some have purpose built facilities.   All are run by a volunteer management committee; some also have paid staff on duty while others are entirely volunteer-run. 

These centres are a brilliant way for local residents to keep in touch with friends and their community.  They reduce loneliness and, by building up regular social contact, they help to reduce the likelihood of illness or other needs going unnoticed and unattended to.