The Recreation Programme

Outcome

We want to see new people accessing our service and benefiting from respite, reduced isolation, improved social skills, increased qualifications, improved ability to cope, reduced workload, improved chances of mainstream integration, including accessing employment

Results

We have extended our programme of activities to 4 days and 2 evenings each week, accommodating an additional 20 young adults with learning and other disabilities. These are young people, living in the family home or that of a carer, no longer in full time education, most of whom had become isolated, no friends, no opportunity to socialise with peers or take part in group activities. Since joining our programme they have become more physically active, more communicative, more confident and sociable. Working as a team, supporting and encouraging each other, we are seeing raised self esteem and independence, and behavioural issues are diminishing. We are seeing this in the groups as the service users gel, but more importantly, families and carers are seeing this too and are benefitting from a less stressful home life with far fewer behavioural problems.

Case study

Robert has had a place on our Recreation for almost 2 years. He had no services before he joined us, and no social contact with peers. He made friends and was keen to try everything, particularly enjoying outdoor activities. He became one of our peer mentors and a team leader. This year we have encouraged him to attend our employability groups, where he has participated in supported work experience projects at RSPB Kinross, in the grounds of Scone Palace and at Templeton Woods. He excelled at these. One of our coordinators supported him into a voluntary work placement which subsequently gave him the confidence to apply for a part time college place at college. He has been successful in securing a part time supported place, studying rural and estate skills, which he started mid October.

Outcome

We want to hear how carers are using their time when we are offering them a break. We see success when we get feedback demonstrating that the carer is using their new found freedom productively to better their life circumstances and to pursue opportunities that they can gain fulfilment from.

Results

While the young people they care for are engaged in Options In Life activities, carers know they have that regular time (for most it’s the ONLY time) each week to make their own plans, knowing that the people they care for are out enjoying themselves, having fun in a supported and safe environment. While most carers use their respite time to simply have time to themselves (one set of parents make a point of going out for a leisurely lunch together every week), 4 carers are now in part time employment, 5 carers have taken up volunteering positions with our own organisation, while others are volunteering with other organisations. Some parents meet up with friends and indeed, each other, 3 mothers have joined a gym together and another group of carers are now golfing together.

Case study

These are the carer’s own words:
The young lady I look after is unable to access any kind of activity without support, as she can’t go out on her own. She relies on Options in Life to be able to meet people of her own age and abilities and enjoys the interaction with the others in her group. She loves the outings and although she isn’t confident about some things, she has begun to be a lot less afraid to try. Her speech has improved too, and she may be less reluctant to join in conversations. The outings with Options gives her the opportunity to make friends and do things which she never would have tried before. She has settled much better at home, knowing that, twice a week she has something to look forward to.

Options in Life have made a huge difference to life at home, as the young lady I support has no other contact with other youngsters like herself. She comes home very happy and full of tales about her experiences. It give me time to myself, as she otherwise needs 24|7 care. I value this time so much, knowing that she is enjoying life with Options. The staff on the bus are fantastic with all the service users and my young lady is very happy to see them. I can’t praise them all enough!

Outcome

Many carers who are referred to us are in a desperate need, struggling to cope with their situation. When those carers thank us for the work we are doing and tell us that they wouldn’t be able to manage if it wasn’t for our service, that’s when we know we are making a difference.

Results

Through our family evenings we have established a network of carers who are supported by each other as well as by the organisation. Social groups have emerged and families are enjoying being part of a social circle where everyone understands and no one is judged.
Our programmes aim to build the confidence of our service users by exposing them to new experiences and activities, stretching the boundaries and taking them out of their comfort zone. By learning to work as a team whether it’s in the kitchen during our independent cookery classes, where the young people work together to plan and prepare a meal, then sit down together to socialise and eat together, or it’s taking part in survival exercises, the young people are learning to communicate and respect each other. Skills are being transferred to life at home, where carers are reporting increased independence, a willingness to be involved in household tasks, and life at home being generally much less challenging.

Case study

Again, in the words of a parent :
Options in life has transformed the life of our son, he looks forward to and gets very excited at the prospect of the weekly outings. He now has friends,(something he has never had ) which he looks forward to meeting every week.
Before joining the group he self harmed and cried regularly this has now stopped and he appears to be very happy in life.
Before Options In Life, there were activities that we believed would be beyond his abilities, with the help and support of both support staff and other service users our son has learned many new skills and can now enjoys a number of new activities,(Climbing, Canoeing , Bowling being a few examples).

As for us ‘the carers’ and parents, knowing he is happy mixing with friends goes a long way to relieving our stresses which are indeed perpetual.