Personal Development and Skills
Personal Development and Skills is a programme that has been designed to enable people with a learning disability and autistic people to build confidence in managing their own lives. So, it provides opportunities for growth through skills development. Including travel training, sports, arts and employment.
What issues are experienced?
Once someone with a learning disability or autism leaves formal learning there is often an issue. And that’s what comes next. Especially if they are not ready to think about employment.
So, to put this in context. There are over 5,000 adults in the community living in either supported or independent living who do not have a social and life skills network. Therefore, they often lack the skills to do things in their lives. Such as manage their money or be able to use public transport. And this hinders their freedom. As well as stopping them fully moving into adult life.
So, how do we address this?
Our Personal Development and Skills Programme offers sessions designed to develop a person’s life journey. So, we deliver a range of skills-based sessions that enable greater freedom. As well as activity-based sessions that enhance confidence, help make new friendships and develop practical and emotional skills. So, the programme covers key Personal Development areas. Including employment, travel training, sports and well-being. As well as friendships, personal safety, creative and performing arts, and practical DIY skills.
Our skills-based sessions
Our approach focuses on building on what people can and want to do. So, we work in partnership to set goals, celebrate progression and explore new opportunities. And all designed to help and achieve greater independence.
Sessions include:
- Employment and Work Skills
- Travel Training
- Online Safety and Cyber Resilience
- Relationships
- Money Skills
- Healthy Lifestyles, including healthy eating and physical activity
Our activity-based sessions
Our Activity Groups work, because they develop social and communication skills. As well as assist with building meaningful friendships and enabling continual personal growth.
Sessions include:
- Drama and Art
- Sports
- Music
- Cooking
- Therapeutic Arts
- Mindfulness and Wellbeing
The programme vision
The programme’s vision is to offer people opportunities. So they can:
- Build lasting and meaningful friendships
- Thrive in new-found freedom and confidence
- Create new pathways and support future personal growth
- Be a part of and contribute to something special
- Take control of personal wellbeing
- Feel secure, healthy and happy
The Elfie Selfies
Some of our members of The Accessible Workshop popped in to take advantage of the clever work one of our Arts Groups prepared and got
Tennis Champions at Talkback
Did you see all the previous tennis champions yesterday at Wimbledon as the world’s most famous tennis tournament celebrated 100 years of the Centre Court?
Thank you gifts made for the Lady Ryder Memorial Garden
They wanted to thank the Garden for partnering with Talkback and in doing so, helping them to be actively involved in horticulture. Our Personal Development
A great experience at the Healthy Living Centre
The HLC is a community hub focussed on supporting the local wards of Southcourt and Walton Court in Aylesbury. A place where people can hire
Serving up work experience at All Saints Church
Three members of our Personal Development Skills (PDS) programme, Lifestyles group, have been taking part in a work experience placement at the Mustard Seed café
Energise members face a rainbow challenge
We all know how to sing a rainbow, but do you know how important it is to eat one? Well, our Energise members found out
