The Achieve Project
For young people with special needs and learning disabilities
If you’re looking for transition support for yourself or someone you know… This two year mentoring support project runs 50 weeks in the year and is aimed at helping young people aged 16-21 years to gain the confidence and skills they need to move towards independence and a positive place in the community. That’s especially about transition from school and college as well as into new opportunities.
“Too many young people with learning disabilities pretty much fall off the end of a cliff at the point of transition”
Where does this project operate?
Bedfordshire & North Hertfordshire, centred on hubs in Luton, Bedford, Redbourn and Stevenage
Achieve project goals
Jennifer Martinez
Young people with learning disabilities have the right to become the best they can be , like anyone else. Our person-centred approach is designed to help each young person identify life goals and move towards them.
Using tools like our PATH Plan and Development Web, We measure and support progression and work to equip young people for the future.
Socialisation and Inclusion
It’s sad that so many young people with learning disabilities lack friendship and struggle with exclusion. Our peer volunteers and other beneficiaries provide a stimulating and engaging environment and connect them with the wider community. . Young People need to belong and feel valued and we encourage that at all levels.
Respite and Support for Parent/Carers
Looking after a young person with special needs is an amazing thing to do but parents also need support and encouragement. We provide some respite but also opportunities to share with other parents including online Facebook groups etc and help to exchange suggestions and experience.
Help into work/Next steps Education
Young people with mild to moderate learning needs struggle to find work, income and all the other things that so many of us take for granted. We help with CV and interview skills and engage with employers locally to provide work and apprenticeship opportunities.
We support transition into training and other vocationally centred opportunities.
Fun!
We use a whole range of tools and approaches around music, drama, sport and games etc. Growing and learning team skills and interpersonal skills are all part of building a successful future.
William Taylor
We organise a six week summer programme that combines opportunities for camping, games, sport, special trips, film nights and a lot more.
How it works
We have a flexible three phase approach where each young beneficiary is supported for up to two years by trained peer and peer plus volunteers working in a unique cluster support model. We use virtual support and resources as well as face to face support. We deploy around 70-80 volunteers across the Beds and N Herts. Each young person receives an average of 6-7 hours input per week. Weekly activity and development sessions locally (both physically and virtually) are supported by personal mentoring and engagement in the wider community. Each young person is helped to make friends, gain skills and consider their hopes and ambitions for the future.
Phase 1: 6-9 months
Generally while they are still at school or college. We work to develop mentoring and befriending relationships for a couple of terms before leaving school or college.
It means we have developed relationships and friendships so that as they leave school and college we are with them to make sure they don’t fall off that cliff.
Phase 2: 12 - 15 months
Is all about that year after leaving school/college so that the mentors and befrienders who were with them in Phase 1, journey with them for a year or more after leaving. Phase 2 is much more about employment skills and employer engagement and preparing for a more independent and confident life.
Phase 3: 3-6 months
Is about moving on. Its generally just a few months long and is about individual exit strategies - its is about signposting into employment or next steps education and, where appropriate, onto other partner organisations like the Princes Trust. As young people move on they leave room for other young people to join at Phase 1.
The project is something I have spent a long while trying to find. I have wanted my son involved in social situations, whilst being able to learn new things and experience a normal friendship lifestyle.
He has only been on the project for a short period of time, but things are already improving at home and his confidence is growing.
I came and visited him on project before picking him up and I couldn't believe how much he was welcoming strangers which he hasn't been able to do before.
-Achieve Project Parents