Welcome to Smerdon Day Centre in Belvedere, Kent. Proudly operated by Eleanor Healthcare Group, we have a rich legacy of excellence in the care industry since 1979. Nestled in the heart of Belvedere, our day centre offers more than care services: it allows participants to connect with the beauty and vibrancy of their surroundings. Belvedere blends urban convenience with natural splendour, offering historic landmarks and lush green spaces. Participants can explore nearby attractions such as the historic Belvedere House and Gardens, or enjoy peaceful walks along the River Thames. In this serene setting, our day centre becomes not just a place for care but a haven for enrichment and exploration.
A cosy café area where participants can relax, socialise, and enjoy refreshments.
Access to a beautiful garden space for outdoor relaxation, gardening activities, and community gatherings.
On-site hairdressing salon offering professional hair care services to our participants.
Transport services provided by our dedicated minibus for community outings and group activities.
Dedicated spaces for relaxation exercises, gentle stretches, and relaxation techniques aimed at promoting overall well-being. Our dedicated areas provide a tranquil environment for participants to engage in activities that enhance physical health and emotional well-being.
Gina has been a pillar of Smerdon Day Centre since its inception. With a remarkable career spanning over 40 years, Gina’s journey from a dedicated direct support staff member to her current role as Service Manager reflects her passion and commitment to making a difference. Under Gina’s leadership, Smerdon Day Centre has flourished, offering a dynamic range of activities including drama, music, art and creative workshops. Her innovative approach and genuine care have enriched the lives of our clients, helping them build skills and find joy in their everyday experiences. Gina’s dedication remains at the heart of Smerdon Day Centre, brightening lives and fostering a nurturing environment.
A day centre is a facility that provides structured daytime programmes and support services for individuals with various needs, including learning disabilities, physical disabilities, or mental health conditions. The primary purpose of a day centre is to offer a safe and inclusive environment where individuals can engage in social, recreational, and therapeutic activities while receiving necessary support and supervision.
Smerdon Day Centre provides comprehensive care services tailored to meet the diverse needs of individuals with learning disabilities. From personal development and social integration to healthcare support and leisure activities, we offer holistic care to promote overall well-being.
Smerdon stands out for its commitment to holistic care and fostering a supportive environment where individuals can thrive. With an experienced and compassionate team, spacious facilities, and personalised support plans, we empower participants to achieve their potential and lead fulfilling lives.
Our centre offers a range of activities and facilities to enrich the lives of our participants, including artistic expression through arts and crafts activities, involvement in Dream Media social enterprise, cooking classes, music and dance sessions, fitness and well-being programs, community outings, and access to facilities such as a cosy café, garden, hairdressing salon, minibus transport, and dedicated spaces for relaxation exercises.
We believe in fostering personal growth and social inclusion through a variety of activities and programs tailored to the interests and needs of our participants. From creative arts and media projects to community outings and wellness programs, we provide opportunities for individuals to explore their interests, develop new skills, and build meaningful connections within a vibrant and inclusive environment.
Dream Media is an innovative social enterprise operating within Smerdon Day Centre. It focuses on animation, filming, and production of short films, empowering individuals with learning disabilities to unleash their creativity and tell their stories. Dream Media integrates with other activities at Smerdon, including creating handmade greeting cards, managing gardening projects, and offering Photobooth services.
Attending a day centre can offer numerous benefits, including social interaction, mental stimulation, skill development, and improved overall well-being. Participants have the opportunity to make new friends, engage in meaningful activities, maintain independence, and access support services that enhance their quality of life.
Despite a successful stint as one of the youngest finance directors in London, specialising in mergers and acquisitions for a prominent advertising company, Marc found his professional success to be hollow. Driven by a desire to serve the community, he left the lucrative world of finance to establish an accountancy practice and business consultancy in Lewisham. His mission was clear: guide local start-ups and small businesses toward financial transparency and profitability.
As Marc’s consultancy flourished, he received a crucial call from Eleanor in 2005, who was struggling to keep her nursing agency afloat after 26 years. Marc took on the challenge, initiating a leap of faith that marked the beginning of a transformative journey. Today, the Eleanor Healthcare Group stands as a model business in the care sector, with over 1500 dedicated members, fluent in 112 languages, supporting over 3000 clients. The senior staff, with a combined experience of over 100 years in health and social care, has been instrumental in guiding and participating in the organisation’s remarkable growth.
Marc draws inspiration from his team of staff, care workers, and frontline keyworkers, acknowledging their role in preserving the life and dignity of the most vulnerable in the community. He emphasises that Eleanor is an organization with people at its core, having created a paradigm shift in the care sector with the driving principle that social care is about people, not processes. In 2009, Marc introduced the concept of person-centric care, responding to a request from Richmond Council. Eleanor Healthcare Group led the transformation, offering tailor-made services and pioneering an outcomes-based approach in collaboration with local authorities. The organisation then took a leading role in preventive care, integrating health and social care services and introducing a novel caring model to Lewisham Council based on the Buurtzorg model.
Despite numerous achievements, Marc sees success as just the beginning. The Eleanor family remains ready to take another leap of faith, with trust in people above processes. In the face of mounting challenges to health and social care systems, Marc has been steering Eleanor to the forefront of much-needed innovation within the UK and globally. Eleanor Healthcare Group takes pride in its identity, never compromising integrity, and always preserving its true essence. The commitment to taking the road less travelled is evident as it approaches the next fork in the future of healthcare, promising to continue breaking new ground and redefine possibilities.