I need support to allow me to access my weekend breaks and holidays when I choose to travel as it is harder to travel alone.

I am a young man with autism adhd pda and a pituitary cyst, I was also born a female however I identify as a Male

I enjoy attending my day centre for disabled people bright lives social enterprises cic I go 4 days a week Monday to Thursday

I enjoy going to theme parks during the holidays and some weekends when I can if i have enough money left as i like to be independent, I live with my parents and I love my dog she is called Bubba and is my rock and my world.

I am a registered volunteer for help for heroes I did go for army training when I was 18 but could not continue after my diagnosis I then went on to complete an apprenticeship in health and social care and was a carer for elderly people for two years however due to a family tragedy I had a year of crisis where i was placed in mental health facilities.

They did not offer the correct care suited to my needs so was handed to social care for adults who got my place at my day centre I have been for 3 years and it is brilliant i love it but i do not get support to go on holidays or weekend breaks or days out when I am on my own which I do need help and support with as do my parents especially as my mum and nana are my main support but are not my carers because my mum and dad work and my nana cares for my grandad and uncle who have serious medical issues.

I would like and I need desperately support someone to accompany me as a carer when I go off on a short break which I book and pay for myself but I need a carer because I am target to bullying and because if my needs if I want to go to a theme park which I love I cannot do so without support because I have to use public transport which is difficult on long journeys and I require someone to help me as I have meltdowns when things go wrong and I have had to be taken home on many occasions by police and ambulance as sometimes when I am out without support i cannot deal with things going wrong ie if the transport is not the same, or trouble with access to disabled services and care when staying at theme parks or hotels or places I choose to book and go on holiday.

[Sarah_Mencap]

Hello

Welcome, and thanks for telling us about how you are doing.

Your day centre sounds brilliant, but I can understand that you might need support at weekends or holidays. Have you asked social care for more support? Do they know how you feel?

Some charities have befriending schemes where they may be able to pair you up with someone who could meet up with you, and get out and about. It might be worth seeing if there is anything like this near you.

A few other ideas:

> is there a local Mencap group near you? They might know more about what is available near where you live. You can see if there is a group near you on here - mencap.org.uk/search/groups

> it might be a good idea to talk to one of Mencap's helpline advisors on 0808 808 1111. You would be able to have a good chat with them. Try writing down everything you want to say down before you call so you don't miss something.

Please keep in touch.

Sarah

[LDHelpline_Mencap]

Hi Tyler,

Sarah has given some good ideas for you to think about.

Have you thought about supported holidays? There are some really good opportunities to go to new places and try out new things. Support is provided alongside the holiday so you know there is someone there who can help out if you need it.

There is a holiday information guide which is packed with information to help people with learning disabilities and those closest to them choose an accessible, disability-friendly holiday. You can download it on this link, or ask for a copy to be posted to you:

hft.org.uk/our-services/fam...

I hope you can find something fun to do!

Margaret

Information and Advice Officer