Banff Day Opportunities

Banff Day Opportunities provide a service to adults with a learning disability, physical disability or mental health concerns in Banff, Macduff, and the surrounding area.

Locations

Our main building base location is Banff Day Opportunities Main Hub, Colleonard Road, Banff, AB45 1DZ.

Some group activities take place at other locations.

The Deveron Community Café and the The Splash! swimming group are based at Deveron Community and Sports Centre, Bellevue Road, Banff, AB45 1BY.

The Trampoline Therapy group is based at Macduff Community and Sports Centre, Duff Street, Macduff, AB44 1AA.

A community based gardening activity is based at the The Vinery, Duff House Gardens, Airlie Gardens, Banff, AB45 1AZ.

Main Hub

Banff Day Opportunities Main Hub has sensory and physiotherapy rooms.

Sensory room

For those with profound and multiple disabilities, the sensory room provides a relaxing and stimulating environment. This helps to create a therapeutic approach in achieving health and well-being for those who use this space.

The sensory room is a spacious environment where light and sound can be projected based on the needs of the individual. There is soft seating, a waterbed, and a weighted blanket if needed, as well as various items which satisfy tactile needs.

Physiotherapy room

The physiotherapy room also provides a space to complete exercises with guidance from an individual’s physiotherapist. It is equipped with an interactive sensory projection system. This provides interactive sensory stimulation on floors, tables, walls, and ceilings. It is designed to provide cognitive and physical stimulation through interactive sensory stimulation for people of all ages and abilities such as physio exercise programmes and relaxation sessions.

Sound beam activities let people with profound physical disabilities or learning disabilities be expressive and communicate through different music and sounds. The sense of control and independence this provides can be a powerful motivator for people, stimulating learning, creativity, interaction and can be used as a fun way for gentle exercise.

Group activities at the Hub

Garden maintenance and sensory garden

This group looks after the grounds at the Hub. We are creating a sensory garden designed to be a creative fun space for everyone to enjoy, including colourful garden plants, veg patch and scented flowers. The garden will have accessible seating with a swing seat, outside trampoline and polytunnel.

By taking part in this group you will gain skills in various gardening techniques, as well as in the use of tools and lawn mowers. Gardening and plant care can help in developing your gross and fine motor skills. Members of the group stay active through doing gardening tasks and general exercise. Individuals gain confidence while using the tools and machinery, which boosts self-esteem. Spending time outdoors, breathing fresh air, and soaking up sunlight greatly benefit physical health and personal well-being.

Bee Crafty

This group does a variety of crafts including felting, knitting and embroidery, making handmade items. These will be sold to local shops. Group members are able to improve their crafting abilities, focus, problem-solving skills, and hand-eye coordination. Individuals are able to develop their teamwork skills, which helps to build their confidence, self-esteem and sense of self-worth.

Group members also take part in:

• active walking
• chair exercises and yoga
• sensory session
• meditation
• upcycling and painting furniture

Acting Up

Our drama group, Acting Up, is a great way to spend an afternoon. Members take part in a wide range of games, songs and interacting together while learning lines from plays. With the ultimate aim of creating their own performance, individuals improve their interpersonal, communication and drama skills in a supportive environment.

Group outings

Every Tuesday, you have the opportunity to go out on the bus to explore your local community and further afield. The trips are chosen a month in advance. Users of the service are included in choosing where they would like to go. You can enjoy a variety of different activities and attractions in a group setting. It is a fun way to build up knowledge of your local community.

Activities include:

• walking
• exploring gardens
• bowling
• exploring nature
• educational trips
• learning about local history such as castles and museums
• going to cafés

By taking part you can:

• explore new and unfamiliar environments
• improve wellbeing and physical health by doing gentle exercise
• improve social and communication skills
• develop social interaction and team building skills 

Macduff Industrial Units

Macduff Industrial Units, also known as BEAT, is one of the sites that Banff Day Opportunities runs. Some activities at this site include:

• kindling and woodcraft
• refurnish shop and workshop
• recycling cardboard and making it into animal bedding
• community engagement group

If you take part in these activities you can:

• meet and interact with customers
• do your own woodcraft projects
• develop skills using tools and specialist equipment
• get involved in collecting raw materials and delivering finished products

Macduff Industrial Units (BEAT) is based at Old Gamrie Road, Macduff, AB44 1QD.

Community Group

The Banff Day Opportunities Community Group also runs from this site. Members of the group can get involved with collecting and distributing toys for a local toy bank. Toys are cleaned and fixed before being offered to local people in need.

The group has also set up a clothing collection bank. Members can develop organisational skills, as well as life skills, including learning how to use domestic appliances to wash, dry and iron clothing ready to give to local charities.

The group helps support the local community by litter picking in play parks and maintaining areas of the Myrus and Banff cemeteries. These activities give those who participate a feeling of contributing to their local area, as well as the ability to engage with the community, becoming responsible citizens.

Courses

ASDAN courses can be completed in most groups at Banff Day Opportunities.

Opening times

Banff Day Opportunities are open 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. Your care manager will arrange the days and times when you can come to the day service as part of your care plan.

For information about closures, including unplanned closures, please view Aberdeenshire Day Opportunities.

Find out more

Find out how to access the service. To find out what is available in other areas, any potential closures and general information about the support provided view Aberdeenshire Day Opportunities.

Contact us

If you would like to find out more about Banff Day Opportunities, call us on 01261 455823.