Lancashire County Council Launches Community Use Pilot for Day Centres

Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) organisations across Lancashire are being invited to take part in an exciting new pilot programme aimed at bringing community activity into Lancashire County Council Day Centres during evenings and weekends.
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The Community Use Pilot will explore how council-owned day service buildings can be used more openly and collaboratively outside their normal weekday operating hours. The initiative aims to support social connection, improve wellbeing, reduce loneliness and make better use of valuable community assets.

The pilot will initially run on a small scale, with up to two test sites operating for six months. It is designed as a learning opportunity, allowing Lancashire County Council and community organisations to work together to explore new ways of delivering inclusive, community-led activities.

What is the Pilot About?
Day Centres are primarily used during weekdays to support local residents. Outside of these hours, the buildings have the potential to host a wide range of community activities, helping to:

• Reduce loneliness and social isolation
• Increase opportunities for community participation
• Support people who cannot access daytime activities due to work, caring responsibilities or other commitments
• Make better use of existing public facilities

The pilot is community-focused and is not intended to replace or replicate statutory care services.
Who Can Apply?

​Applications are welcomed from VCFSE organisations interested in delivering activities that promote wellbeing, inclusion and social connection.
Organisations can propose activities during:

• Weekday evenings (typically after 5pm)
• Weekends
• A combination of evenings and weekends

Activities could include social groups, creative sessions, community gatherings, wellbeing activities and other community-led initiatives.

LCC Day Centres Community Use Pilot - EOI and Invitation