Social Care Exchange opening attracts industry professionals

Key local figures and care professionals were among the 80 guests who were feeling positive and inspired about the future of care provision in Lincolnshire after the Social Care Exchange was officially opened on November 30th.

After a welcome by Paul de Savary and the official ribbon cutting by the Mayor of Lincoln, Councillor Yvonne Bodger, guests took the opportunity to tour the facilities on offer at Lincoln’s new Social Care Exchange.  Over £500k has been invested in the specialist building to create state-of-the-art training suites, interactive meeting spaces, collaborative networking and events area as well as high quality serviced offices.

The Mayor of Lincoln, Councillor Yvonne Bodger, who has a background as a charity group leader, instantly recognised the benefits of the Social Care Exchange.

She said:  “I come into contact with a lot of people with care concerns who don’t know where to turn for advice, so a place like this is a great resource for people to find out what is available. Not only that, but they can meet others in a similar situation and begin building their own support networks.”

Industry professionals highlighted the huge potential the Social Care Exchange has for stimulating growth in the sector.

Lynne Newton is a Partner at Glasshouse Farm Care Centre which provides day care services for adults with learning and physical difficulties and brain injuries. Lynne recognises the new opportunities that the Social Care Exchange will create.

“Accessing day care services can be daunting for new and even existing care providers and I’m excited to see a place like the Social Care Exchange emerge to offer guidance and support.  I’m equally excited to see networking and events start to take place – these will offer the perfect opportunity for care professionals to exchange ideas and pool their resources,” said Lynne.

Charity groups were impressed by the facilities on offer at the Social Care Exchange and acknowledged how a space dedicated to training will help raise standards and enhance the quality of care provision across the county and beyond.

Diane McCatty is a Carers Support and Assessment Coordinator for Carers First Charity.

She said: “A big challenge in providing training in care is having somewhere to provide it.  I’ve delivered training myself in places like Church Halls but it’s hard to hold people’s interest when the training environment just isn’t comfortable.  The next challenge is always access to IT, so somewhere like the Social Care Exchange with all its facilities is perfect.”

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