For the first time people with learning disabilities at Barnet’s specialist social care provider welcomed a group of young volunteers to the service for a day.
Two of Your Choice Barnet’s adult disability services hosted the event – Supported Living which supports people to live in their own homes, and Valley Way a respite service for people with complex needs.
Six young people volunteered at both of these services.
The day was organised by The Challenge Network who run a summer programme that enables young people to mix in the community, widen their circle of friends and enhance their personal development.
The Network organised a BBQ lunch that saw the volunteers interacting with service users to understand some of the challenges they face and the work the support staff provide.
Damian Browne, manager at Supported Living, said: “This was a first for our team and service users, and we all thoroughly enjoyed it.
“The young people were a great bunch of volunteers, who were all keen to help serve food, and to chat with each and every service user. They became more and more confident during the afternoon, interacting with people who have a wide range of disabilities and support needs. Some of the people here have Down’s syndrome, are on the autistic spectrum or have profound disabilities in addition to their learning disability.
“We’re always looking for volunteers, whether it’s to befriend a person in their own home, or to accompany them out and about in the community – going to the shops or the cinema. We hope this is the beginning for more young people to come along and get involved.”
Your Choice Barnet’s Director of Services, Amanda Jackson, said: “I’m so pleased The Challenge Network let us be a part of this wonderful programme.
“Our service users are at the heart of all we do. We warmly greeted the bright and talented volunteers into our services and inspired and educated them about the great work we do.”
After volunteering at the services the volunteers have been set a final task to fundraise for the charity Friends of Valley Way who raise additional funds to support community trips out for people with complex needs.