Caithness learning disabled folk helped to find their voice
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ENABLE Scotland’s Inspire Me project was launched recently in Thurso, building on the work of ENABLE Link which supported young people with learning issues and special needs for the past eight years.
Caithness project co-ordinator Christina Raeburn is part of the UK-wide new project which will help young people overcome the exclusion and prejudice that many people with a learning disability face.
“This will give them a voice so they can stand up and say we are young people from Caithness and, although we have some good things, there are a lot of things missing for learning disabled people here,” Christina commented.
“It’s about recognising the needs of young people with learning disabilities and them putting their voice forward, being heard and doing something about it.”
The Inspire Me project was set up for young people with a learning disability aged 14 to 25, by Mencap and ENABLE Scotland, and funded by the Co-operative Charity of the Year.
From tea parties to bike rides, Co-op staff and members took part in a wide range of fundraising activities in 2011 and raised an impressive £7 million.
The huge sum has helped launch the project in 20 locations including Caithness and the groups will engage with over 200 schools, colleges and community groups across the UK.
Christina explained the project delivers six workshops – volunteering, community impact, young ambassador training, confidence, wellbeing and employability – to support the young people to develop life skills.
This should bring out the desires and needs of disabled young people in the area and they will then have the skills to work through the problem themselves and try to find a solution.
One of the main ideas in Caithness is to develop a meeting place with disabled access.
Christina said that ideally this would have a youth café of sorts, as Thurso Youth Club does not have the access needed.
“The workshops are designed to empower the young person and bring out their skills and voice,” she said.
“We just give them the skills and they then follow on with whatever their voice says.”
Christina is the former project co-ordinator for ENABLE Link which has a similar aim – enhancing social skills for the same group of youngsters in the community.
This ran for around eight years with great success, but unfortunately funding ran out last month.
The funding from the Co-op came just in time to allow the project to continue and evolve into the Inspire Me project.
It currently has two years of funding along with money for community projects – up to £1000 per project.
Meetings are held in the British Legion on a Monday afternoon, 2.30-5pm every week until the end of August. All are welcome.
If anyone is interested in finding out more about the project, contact Christina by e-mail at tinamck2011@hotmail.co.uk
