Support with education and employment

Supporting adults with learning disabilities and or autism

The City Centre Hub, based at City College Peterborough, is a day service for adults with learning disabilities and or autism.

The Hub offers a wide range of sessions within the local community such as sailing, golf, bowling, snooker and adapted cycling.

Activities to develop life skills including budgeting, basic numeracy and cooking are practiced through planning shopping lists, purchasing ingredients, and preparing meals.

The City Centre Hub is home to the ‘Pretty Things’ arts and crafts supported enterprise. This group enables supported people to make a range of unique crafts and jewellery which are then sold in the City College coffee shop.

The Hub has a computer area which people can use to access the internet and an activity room used for exercise sessions or arts and crafts.

Providing support to find employment opportunities.

The Employability Hub, based at City College Peterborough, provides support to find paid work, voluntary work or work experience for people with learning disabilities and or autism.

Support is also offered on the following areas:

• to identify training opportunities
• job searching
• applying for vacancies
• interview preparation
• attending interviews and travel training
• in work Job Coach support.

Contact Allison Valentine, Lead Job Coach on 01733 797719

Training opportunities and work experience

The Industrial Hub in Hampton provides training opportunities and work experience for people with learning disabilities and or autism.

People are encouraged to get involved in a variety of activities and enterprises. These include:

• making woodwork items
• making kindling from donated pallets which is sold in local shops
• can crushing
• painting
• Hosting stalls at events showcasing and selling the items made

People are encouraged to work together as part of team.

Hampton Handy Crafts 

Provides an opportunity for adults with learning disabilities to make a range of unique, themed and personal gifts and signs. The outcomes include learning new skills, social engagement, confidence and motivation. Regular stalls are held at City College Peterborough. Items are also sold through the Hampton Handy Crafts Facebook page and there is a shop at the Industrial Hub in Hampton. 

Allotments

Three allotments plots at Hack Road site are supported by a knowledgeable volunteer. At the sites seasonal fruits and vegetables are grown during March to October. People are shown how to maintain and develop the site and everything is grown from seed in pots. Each person has their own role within the allotment which helps them to achieve ownership and pride in their roles.

The fruit and veg grown is then used by the hubs in cookery sessions.

The Allotment sessions run 3 days a week Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays 10:30 - 12:30 weather permitting.

Please contact Sarah Lewis, Hub Co-ordinator on 01733 797700

Day opportunities for people with learning disabilities and or autism with complex support needs

The Kingfisher Centre, Bretton, is a fully accessible day support centre for people with learning disability, autism and complex needs who require support with most aspects of their life such as eating and drinking and specialist communication.

The centre has specialist bathrooms equipped with overhead hoists and changing facilities, a sensory and UV room, Rebound trampoline and spa therapy pool.

Tailored activity plans are offered based on individual needs and enjoyment, both on site and within the local community. Activities aim to promote well -being, good health outcomes and be engaging.

Some of the activities offered linked to individual’s goals and aspirations are:

• Ice Skating – individuals are supported around the ice rink in their wheelchairs. The session provides sensory stimulation and people can enjoy the sensation of skating around on the ice.
• Sailability – Using specially adapted boats at Ferry Meadows sailed by a team of volunteers. A Lugger boat is used which has bean bag style seats so people can transfer out of their wheelchair into the boat in comfort.
• Aqua therapy- Time in the pool to offer freedom of movement and relaxation. The pool has various bubble and light settings for people to enjoy.
• Visits to local cafes as part of individuals 1-1 support time or in small groups. This is an important part of people’s social time giving them the chance to relax with their 1-1 worker or with friends, while experiencing social environments.

Linked to individual’s goals, aspirations and needs a variety of sessions are run by our own staff team in the centre:

• TACPAC -Sessions consist of six sensory experiences in a planned sequence for maximum variety of stimulus, ending with a relaxing piece of music. Linking familiar music with objects, actions and people in a pattern of different activities, the partners communicate with each other.
• Sensory Stories - interactive stories told through the senses such as touch, sound and smell. Stories are told in our sensory room.
• UV (Ultra Violet light) sessions encourages concentration, focus and promotes participation in an activity.
• Rebound Therapy on the trampoline. Rebound therapists follow personalised programmes developed to work on health and well-being.

Contact Debbie Hembrow, Team Manager on 01733 797720

Supporting adults with learning disabilities and or autism.

The Kingfisher Hub, based within the Kingfisher Centre, Bretton, supports adults with learning disabilities and autism to participate in a range of meaningful activities.

The Hub offers a wide range of sessions within the local community such as sailing, golf, bowling, snooker and adapted cycling.

Activities to develop life skills including budgeting, basic numeracy and cooking are practiced through making shopping lists, purchasing stock for the tuck shop and preparing meals.

Well-being sessions such as Rebound Therapy (on the trampoline), Sensory Stories and time in the accessible garden can be planned into people’s week.

Contact Teresa Hulley or Rachael Bright, Hub Coordinators on 01733 797709

Support for people with learning disabilities and or autism who can travel to and from service independently.

The Hub provides a safe haven for people with a wide range of increased support needs, where they can meet, chat and feel safe; this is essential for preventing loneliness and social isolation.

The Hub staff offer a Preventative Service giving advice and support to avoid crisis around money, housing etc and to help resolve issues as they occur.

Staff also try to help individuals develop the skills and confidence to manage their personal circumstances in the future including spotting scams or risky situations.

The Hub offers a programme of skills-based activities such as budgeting, cooking and travel. The Hub also accesses tutor led courses delivered by City College such as Confidence Skills, Fun Science and Healthy Desserts to acquire new skills and refresh basic skills.