After College

[Barneydino]

Who has any suggestions for what my 18 year old daughter can access after college finishes this year. She has Down Syndrome, her social worker is not too helpful.

[Hidden]

Day Center for disabled? Most I think send they child/adult children there

[Galwaybay2]

Depends a lot on where you live but beyond local day groups, which are accessed and generally part-funded by social services, I would start with Special Olympics GB. They have volunteer led groups throughout the country and offer exercise and a social network and so much more. Then I would ring my local council offices and ask them what there is. Any transition can be full of uncertainty and the one from child into adult life can feel scary, but there is a life for your child out there.

[Barneydino in reply to Galwaybay2]

Hi, thank you for your reply, it is scary and I am feeling overwhelmed really. Not having a helpful social worker is making life difficult, I am having to find out things for myself. She suggested day centres too which is fine, however when I look on the website they seem to be more suited to older adults, guess I will have to go and look when they are open.

Special Olympics good idea, we are in Hertfordshire.

Only just discovered this website, so nice to have someone to talk to who understands!!

[-Rich- in reply to Barneydino]

What area of Hertfordshire are you in? There are options but depends on the area. You would have to pay for them or apply for direct payments.

[Barneydino in reply to -Rich-]

Hi we are in Welwyn Garden City

[-Rich- in reply to Barneydino]

Not too far from me then, I'm Watford area. My son has just finished his first year at Oakland's College. I wonder if you have the same social worker we had, she wasn't very helpful either!

There is the Inclusion Project. My son did a few days last summer funded by direct payments. Unfortunately that's all HCC would pay for. He did really enjoy it so we're looking at getting him to do more days (once the Covid situation improves) but it will cost around £90 per day, plus the activity they do.

inclusionproject.co.uk/

There is also the awesome electric umbrella. They are a music based charity for adults with disabilities. You would need to go on to a waiting list for this and your nearest location for sessions would be Hemel. They also have a community choir that anyone can join which is based in Abbots Langley. If your daughter likes music and singing like my son does then look in to this.

electricumbrella.co.uk/

There is a charity called Sunnyside also based in Hemel and Berkhamstead. They offer work experience for adults with disabilities. My son did this when at school but we're not 100% sure about it. It's all voluntary or they're paid a miniscule amount. Our view was that if they're capable of doing work, even if it's just a couple of hours they should at least get minimum wage for it. But it's something to look at.

sunnysideruraltrust.org.uk/

There are probably quite a few more charities but you may have to travel. We have a day centre down the road from us and yes the majority of them are alot older than my son. Plus they don't tend to do much with them.

[Barneydino in reply to -Rich-]

Hi, how funny we belong to Electric Umbrella choir!! we are on the waiting list for one of their sessions when things get back to some sort of normal. My daughter was at Oaklands college St Albans too, maybe we know you !!

We too have been to inclusion project last summer and again social worker says no its too expensive but says I must try" in house day centres" first , but it would be nice to find out some centres where there are young people like her she can mix with.

Will look into Sunnyside, thank you so much for your help.

[Galwaybay2 in reply to Barneydino]

Interesting, I too may know that social worker or it's just that funding is being reduced drastically! Anyway, Ware has an active Special Olympics group and you could also call Salpi Gulbekian based at St Albans District cou.cil for more advice and information.

[natalievbailey]

How about a day centre for adults with learning disabilities

[Barneydino in reply to natalievbailey]

Hi, yes I dont know how to find out about them really, which ones would be suitable for a young person.

[natalievbailey in reply to Barneydino]

The one I went to when I went 18 in aylesbury

[natalievbailey]

Google it

[Barneydino in reply to natalievbailey]

ok thanks

[BenjiB]

My son is 21 and started at a specialist residential college last September. I had looked at day centres etc but he still has so much learning to do we decided staying in education was the right step once he finished his last college.

[WJB_]

Supported Employment Service if she would like to try and get a job/work placement.

[Barneydino in reply to WJB_]

Thanks I have not heard of that, will look into it.

[8969Steph in reply to Barneydino]

Mencap are doing great with my daughter

[DDay01]

Hi. Like BenjiB my son has moved to residential college, he’s 20, it’s not for everyone but I assume your daughter has an EHCP which continues until age 25. If so and she wishes to remain in education then there are a number of post 18/19 options. There is a big gap for 18 year olds who are not ready to move into supported living and continuing education often fills that gap. It might be helpful to speak to your local sendiass to find out what’s out there, also perhaps find out what the rest of the year group are going on to. It’s a scary time and often LAs are not that helpful as they don’t want to pay for provision. Good luck 🍀

[Galwaybay2]

...also there's a farm project towards Stevenage that a lot of wgc people attend. Can't remember it's name but easy to find. Social services support access.

[Picklebum]

My relative lives in Hutchinson and her lad has day care with loads of activities

What about trying a session in a charity shop helping out too feels more like work