Supporting Independent Living
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Following a successful pilot scheme, Salford City Academy has launched the ‘Supporting Independent Living' project, offering services to adult community members with learning disabilities.
Following a successful pilot scheme, Salford City Academy has launched the ‘Supporting Independent Living' project, offering services to adult community members with learning disabilities.
The ‘Supporting Independent Living' project began in October 2012 when, with guidance from the Salford Learning Disability Team, the academy began the provision of sessions designed to help teach group members how to support themselves.
Now, following the scheme's success, the academy has launched a series of 10-week courses, with input and referrals from Salford Learning Disability Team support workers, nurses, dieticians and physiotherapists.
There are currently five local community residents with learning disabilities who visit the academy every Thursday from 1.00pm-4.00pm to take part in the sessions, which help address dietary needs and teach group members how to cook healthily and according to medical conditions e.g. diabetes. The project also helps to broaden social opportunities for those taking part, which in turn helps to improve their self-confidence.
Julie Larkinson, Salford City Academy's Community Partnerships Co-ordinator said:
"We are delighted to be able to offer this unique community service and to see the impact the project is having on our group members. Their confidence and social skills are improving, as are their cooking skills and our sessions have become an important part of our group members' week."
Before starting at the academy, group member John Greenhall was reluctant to communicate, however his skills and confidence have grown greatly since taking part in the project.
Said John: "I enjoy coming each week to the academy. I've tried to make some of the meals at home for my mum!"
The Supporting Independent Living project is also backed by student volunteers, as part of Salford City Academy's after school enrichment programme. Following several induction sessions discussing disability issues and ways in which the quality of life can be improved for those with disabilities, students from Years 7 and 8 were then introduced to the group, acting as mentors on a one-to-one basis and supporting group members in their activities and broadening social skills across both groups.
AnnMarie Simpson, Salford City Academy's Young Volunteers Co-ordinator said: "I'm so proud of how our young students have positively responded to the group members. It's an excellent initiative which has helped broaden the social skills of all those involved."
Julie Larkinson adds: "We have responded to our group members request to socially interact with our students to help them to improve their social confidence. The project has developed so well and group members are showing good cooking skills and improved confidence. They are also teaching us sign language, whilst our students are mentoring them in basic IT skills - it has been a two-way learning curve."