18th September 2019

West Sussex County Council has commissioned Guild Care to continue to run its new weekend service for young adults with disabilities.

The grant was awarded to Guild Care’s Ashdown Centre, to help fund their social group for people aged 18-25 with learning disabilities and additional needs.

West Sussex County Council wanted to fund short breaks that provide young people with opportunities to meet socially with their peers and to have ‘an ordinary life,’ doing the things that their non-disabled peers do.

Natalie Finn, Ashdown Manager said: “People get to 18 and there is no or little social opportunity for people in this age group with additional needs to attend or access. This grant will allow them to attend a weekend service once a month and socialise with peers and get out into the community and to be given the opportunity to try new things.

“This service will hopefully help reduce the social isolation of a lot of people who may be stuck in their bedroom due to high anxiety or simply not being able to access any social activities for their age group. We look forward to developing people’s skills, boosting confidence and seeing the positive impact this grant will have on the service we can provide!” 

This funding will mean that these young people can attend the weekend service one Sunday a month and enjoy outings and trips, including theatre visits, days out to theme parks and trying new things such as inflatable water parks, all chosen by the young people.

For more information on Guild Care’s Ashdown Centre, please visits its web page.