With a grant of £500 from the High Sheriff of Rutland’s Fund, Out of Hours Club Rutland has enabled special and additional needs young people in Rutland to independently move around the local area unsupported by their parents, but with age appropriate leaders, in order to encourage their social skills and independence.
Out of Hours Club Rutland works with young people with one or more additional needs in the Rutland area, many of whom never went anywhere previously unless they were with family members. The Club aims to help these vulnerable people realise that they can do things without parents or family members. As many of them are Autistic, they are also learning to cope in environments which they would previously have found too alien.
Thanks to the funding, the young people have enjoyed recreational activities which are arranged bi-monthly such as going to the pub, cinema or theatre, meals out, bowling and day trips with their peers. The grant has paid for two leaders for all activities and a mini-bus for trips to see The Wizard of Oz at The Lighthouse Theatre in Kettering, Hairspray at the Curve Theatre in Leicester and Pan at the Odeon Cinema in Kettering.
The young vulnerable adults that OHCR work with have all grown in confidence as a result, moving away from letting the leaders do everything to them being able to do things for themselves or with minimal support. For example, they may now be able to order their meals independently or purchase items of their own choosing without being prompted. Some have also met up outside the group as they have been able to transfer the skills learnt within the group into their everyday lives.
If you’d like information about setting up your own giving fund to help groups, people and causes local to your area, please contact us on 0116 262 4916 or email katy.green@llrcommunityfoundation.org.uk.
