Service with a Smile at Amberswood

A politician from the Cabinet having lunch at Chequers may not be headline news, and in these cash-conscious times the fact that the politician bought his own meal isn’t that remarkable either.

But this isn’t the country home of the Prime Minister, this Chequers is the café within Hindley’s Amberswood Day Centre – and the cabinet member is Cllr Chris Ready, Wigan Council’s champion for customers.

“Fine food and great company: who could ask for more!” says Cllr Ready. “The staff and volunteers at the day centre provide a great service and those who are supported here are really valued.”

Amberswood is a council run day centre for adults with learning disabilities. It gives them access to a variety of leisure, educational and developmental activities. The service is carefully tailored to each individuals’ needs, from sensory stimulation to travel training.

Cllr Ready was visiting Amberswood to see how people like Chloe Leyland, and her friends Vicki, Julie and Catherine, are coming along with working on front line roles, dealing with the public with the assistance of carers and supervisors.

“I love working here,” says Chloe, from Gidlow. She’s been working at Chequers Café on Fridays for a couple of years now and had previously been at college locally. “I’m really supported here and I help other people too,” she says. “I do the tills, the washing up. I like it.”

People can choose to attend the centre five days a week, or on selected days to suit their lifestyle, like Chloe. There is a gardening team based there, the reception desk is staffed by people keen to develop their clerical skills and the Chequers café, open to the general public and incorporating a training kitchen where staff provide training.

“This work done here is very important,” says Cllr Ready. “The benefits are here for all to see and I can heartily recommend the café to visitors as well.”