Wednesday September 2nd 2026
Glasgow City Council is reviewing older people’s day care services as part of its STEP Forward programme.
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Catherine Hunter
Glasgow’s trade unions are growing increasingly concerned over a new programme which could alter the accessibility of Older People’s Day Care Services across Glasgow.
As part of the STEP Forward programme a number of services including the Older People Day Care Services are being reviewed as part of a three-year programme.
A letter sent on behalf of Unison, UNITE and the GMB to the council has pointed out that the proposals under consideration could result in substantial changes to current service provision across the city with six Day Care centres facing closure.
Glasgow City Council says at this stage it would be inappropriate to suggest what centres could close and the final decision is still to be taken by the IJB (integrated joint board).
Staff are also being consulted on a proposal to reduce from 10 to 4 day services for older people.
UNISON Glasgow City Branch social work convener Stuart Graham said: “The city’s health and social care partnership are proposing £100 million cuts over the next 3 years.
“They plan to cut welfare rights services by half and close six out of Glasgow’s ten older people’s day care centres. It’s simply not acceptable.
“Welfare rights services support people who experience poverty, debt, benefit problems, rent arrears and fuel poverty.
“Day care centres support people living with dementia. They will still need support and their carers will still need respite.
“These cuts will just pass higher costs onto our already stretched NHS, mental health teams, homelessness and social care services.
“Unions are opposing these cuts as they will have a devastating impact on Glasgow’s most vulnerable people.”
Councillor Paul Carey BEM says he also has concerns about proposals and when making these decisions it is important to remember what these centres mean to the people who attend them.
Councillor Carey said: “A day centre can be the difference between someone spending the day alone in their house and spending it surrounded by friends, having a cup of tea, sharing a laugh, taking part in an activity and simply having a good old-fashioned blether.
“Glasgow’s own Health and Social Care Partnership recognises this. Its review states that day services are there to promote social stimulation, prevent isolation and maintain social inclusion.
“That tells us something very important: socialisation is not an optional extra. It is part of what the service is there to provide.
“Think about what happens when an older person becomes less mobile, loses a partner, has family living elsewhere or simply finds it more difficult to get out and about.
“It gives people somewhere to go and people to see. It gives them a routine. It gives them something to look forward to. It gives them the opportunity to make new friends and maintain friendships they may have had for years.
“Sometimes it is the simple things that matter most — sitting around a table having a conversation, playing a game, listening to music, doing crafts, having lunch together or talking about what is happening in the community.
“If someone loses their regular day at the centre, they don’t just lose a place to go. They can lose contact with friends, their routine, confidence and their connection with the wider community.
“And once someone becomes isolated, it can become much harder for them to get back out and reconnect.
“I also want to make clear that this is not about saying every day centre must remain exactly as it is forever. Services should always be reviewed and improved where necessary.”
The council says that every HSCP service will be subject to review over the three years to March 2029 as part of the Glasgow City IJB commitment to setting the HSCP on a sustainable course for the future.
A spokesperson for GHSCP said: “The STEP Forward programme is a significant piece of work, designed to ensure that we are adept to face the future. A number of services including Older People Day Care Services are being reviewed as part of this three-year programme. It’s based around principles of transparency and participation so that staff and other stakeholders understand the challenges facing the HSCP and are engaged in finding solutions.
“We recognise and understand the concerns of staff but at this stage they are being consulted on the future shape of the service. No decisions have yet been made. The level of commitment to systematically engage staff across all of the HSCP’s activity is without precedent. However, the programme will allow for growth in areas and reductions in others – all within a context of a projected 5% reduction in HSCP budgets over the next three years.
“The OPDC service, which had an approximate 50% capacity rate in 2020, was closed during the Covid lockdown. Service user numbers remain a challenge, with 661 service users currently attending per month (as at May 2026), against a total capacity of 1500 places.
“The STEP Forward programme will not be without challenges – challenges we seek to meet in a positive way. Our staff and trade unions have an opportunity to participate in a process that will lead to resource decisions at a level previously unseen. We strongly encourage staff to take part.”
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