Christchurch-based charity Autism Wessex has launched a new provision in collaboration with BCP Council, to benefit young adults with learning disabilities who are on the verge of moving into adulthood.
Autism Wessex’s Futures Unlimited programme seeks to engage and empower young people aged 19-25 to realise their potential and to become active contributors in their local communities, by offering bespoke learning opportunities, work placements, employability skills and supported housing practice.
Autism Wessex is the leading regional charity providing specialist education, care and support to children and adults affected by autism and associated learning disabilities.
Autism Wessex CEO Siún Cranny said “We have created Futures Unlimited as a Dorset-based provision which prepares young people effectively for adulthood by working with them to take control of their lives and achieve their aspirations.
“The programme works with young people and their families to successfully identify what they want to do in the future. It supports students to manage their finances, make decisions about how they want to live, work, engage and have fun in their social lives.
“Students will have the opportunity to complete vocational skills qualifications as part of their personalised programme and try living independently with support and to experience what it is like to live in a community setting.
“The end goal for each young person is to graduate from the learning programme with work (paid or non-paid), be ready and informed about opportunities to live independently and have positive active engagement in their communities. In essence, we will work with students to stay local, learn local and live local.”
Futures Unlimited can be a one or two-year programme, depending on previous experience and level of existing skills and takes place over three days a week, with the potential for four or five days a week.
People aged 19-25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan, who want more independence, training, local work or community activity should email: Futures.Unlimited@autismwessex.org.uk
More information on Futures Unlimited can be found at: https://www.autismwessex.org.uk/pages/375-futures-unlimited