PEOPLE with physical disabilities or sensory impairments could take more control of their lives with the launch of a new service.

Connect (Wyre Forest) has been set up by Worcestershire County Council to enable residents to play more active roles in their communities. It is intended to build on the service provided at Sandalwood Resource Centre.

Lyn Archer, Connect's team manager, said: "Sandalwood provided opportunities for its users to access education and leisure pursuits and many gained a great deal from it.

"However, few people moved on to accessing ordinary leisure or social activities independently from the day service."

A review of Worcestershire's disability services in 2003 highlighted a need to change services from being building-based to community-based, with Sandalwood the first to do so.

By August, 2004, most people were contacting and participating in their groups in that way.

Service users were consulted about the changeover, leading to people being introduced to activities outside the day centre, in community venues.

In Wyre Forest, Connect, based at 10-12 Blackwell Street, Kidderminster, will enable people with disabilities to participate in the kind of community activities others take for granted.

Together with North Worcestershire DIAL, Connect will provide advice between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Groups promoting or providing services for people with disabilities can also book meeting spaces at the Blackwell Street premises.

On Tuesdays, clients can drop in to meet other people with disabilities and their friends.

For people unable to use conventional disabled toilet facilities, a personal care suite is open 24 hours a day.

Connect (Wyre Forest) can be contacted on 01562 829700.

It was officially opened on Tuesday by Philip Gretton and Jennie Bashforth, respectively Worcestershire County Council's cabinet member for and director of adult and community services.