Getting around with confidence
An innovative new scheme is helping people with learning disabilities get around and gain confidence. The Adult Learning Disability Travel Scheme helps people use public transport and teaches key skills so users can gain more independence.
The project provides service users with a 'travel mate' who travels with them to and from the Atheldene Centre in Garratt Lane and other day centres. They provide individual tailored support during the journey and help users gain confidence and skills such as road safety, how to use their freedom pass, how to find a seat and where to get on and off.
This is backed up with ongoing travel and social skills training at day centres, including stranger danger, how to ask the way, road safety and how to pop into shops en route and buy items such as a drink.
Travel mate Leigh Wildman said he found working on the scheme very rewarding.
It's a great pleasure to be able to help such independently-minded people and see the delight and pleasure they feel from mixing with other members of the public. I've been uplifted by this experience. It has also boosted my own self confidence.
The scheme is being provided by the Haringey Association for Independent Living, Southside and Generate. The scheme has been running since the summer, and organisers believe it is already breaking down barriers between people with learning disabilities and the rest of the community, as well as improving service users' quality of life. To find out more about the work done at the Atheldene Centre, and other facilities for adults with learning disabilities, go to www.careline.org.uk.