26/01/2026
Adult day care facilities at Shaftesbury’s Trinity Centre have been saved following strong public opposition to closure plans. Dorset Council has reversed a proposal to shut the facility at the former church on Bimport, which has been delivered by Care Dorset as ‘Shaftesbury Plus’.
The council had proposed to relocate some services to a ‘hub’ at Sturminster Newton and offer certain unspecified activities in the community under a new hub-and-spoke model. A consultation ran between March and June 2025 and attracted 354 responses across the county. It also included a public meeting at Trinity Centre, where locals expressed strong views against the closure plans.
While the council says the proposals aim to promote independence, wellbeing and social inclusion, the response from Shaftesbury stands out as particularly strong and clear. Dorset Council acknowledged that there were 55 responses about Shaftesbury plans which “showed strong dissatisfaction with closure proposals”. The council said it recognised that locals “valued emotional support and accessibility” at the Shaftesbury site.
Shaftesbury Town Council and Motcombe Parish Council objected to these changes.
In the survey, respondents consistently described Shaftesbury Plus as more than a place to attend activities. Users value the centre for enjoyment, social connection and emotional support, while carers stressed the importance of the respite it provides. Hot meal provision, outreach support for people in their own homes, and the role the centre plays in allowing carers to work or take breaks were also considered important. The service was described as “acting as a lifeline” and a form of crisis prevention, helping people remain at home rather than reaching breaking point.
Travel emerged as one of the most significant concerns specific to Shaftesbury. Both users and non-users repeatedly raised difficulties with transport and the plans to relocate some services to Sturminster Newton. Public transport was described as unreliable and, in some cases, too expensive. These concerns were particularly acute for people with disabilities, where longer journeys and unfamiliar settings were seen as creating stress and practical barriers to attendance.
Further comments highlighted the local need for a Shaftesbury base, given the town’s ageing population and the role the day centre plays in tackling social isolation. Respondents argued that removing local provision would increase pressure on families and carers, rather than offering greater flexibility.
The report recognises that locals felt the Bimport site was well suited, offering wheelchair accessibility and a good location.
Alternative plans were also criticised as unclear. Some respondents felt there was not enough detail on how the new community model proposed to replace the Bimport service would work in practice. There was unease about reliance on volunteers, which some users felt could not replace trained staff. Not all carers felt properly considered in the proposals, according to respondents.
Local users were keen to keep services in Shaftesbury and suggested alternatives rooted in keeping provision local. These included reducing the amount of space used, sharing facilities with other organisations, and expanding activities into evenings or weekends. Dorset Council acknowledged that the emphasis throughout the Shaftesbury responses was on adapting and improving what already exists, not removing it.
Dorset Council says the consultation report shows that Shaftesbury Plus is viewed locally as a vital, effective service with strong community support. The strength and consistency of opposition recorded in the report indicate limited appetite in Shaftesbury for replacing the existing centre with hubs or spokes elsewhere, and a clear preference for maintaining locally based day opportunities that people can realistically access and rely on. That, the council says, is why the facility will not be axed.
