Day centres and day opportunities

Day centres and day opportunities give you the opportunity to join in activities, get to know your local community, and keep safe. There is a range of different options available, from support to attending a building-based service and going out in your local community.

Details of regular groups and activities, lunch clubs, or other day opportunities can be found in our leisure and recreation section, and in our education and learning section.

Some day opportunities may have a charge to attend. 

Day centres and building-based activities are usually aimed at particular groups, such as older people, or those with learning disabilities. Some are open to a variety of people with different care and support needs.

Specialist day centres provide for a range of care and support needs, including for people with:

• Physical disabilities and or sensory impairment
• Dementia
• Learning disabilities
• Mental health difficulties

The Markhouse Centre 

The Markhouse Centre is a day centre run directly by the London Borough of Waltham Forest. The Centre supports adults with learning disabilities, complex needs and autism by offering a wide range of meaningful activities in which residents can participate.

To access day centre services, including the Markhouse Centre, you must have eligible care and support needs under the Care Act and wish to have support provided within a building-based service to meet identified outcomes. 

Your social worker will complete an assessment to find the right support for you

Services that are staffed by registered nurses or provide treatment for particular conditions will need to be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). These services will be subject to standards and inspections. You can search by service name on the CQC website to check.

Day centres run by charities or other organisations may not be regulated and registered, depending on what they provide. They should however be able to give you details of their quality checks and details of feedback from people who have used their service.