Help is on Hand to Aim Even Higher
Monday 8th November
2010
Bedford Borough Council’s ‘Aiming High’ for
disabled children programme has maximised its potential with work
carried out by two new Youth Workers. The duo’s mission has been to
improve the opportunities on offer to young disabled people within
the borough, giving this group the same universal opportunities as
other mainstream children.
The dedicated Integrated Youth Support (IYS),
Special Education Needs (SEN) Youth Workers, Stephanie Large, and
Amanda Phelps, joined ‘Aiming High’ in April this year. Their
contract runs up until March 2011, although it is hoped more
funding will prevail in order to carry out projects going
forward.
The ‘Aiming High’ programme has been awarded
substantial new government funding and support of late. ‘Out &
About’ is one of the projects featured by Aiming High, which
recently secured funding to ensure that in each local area children
and parents are involved in strategic decision making about the
provision of services that their disabled children need.
Stephanie and Amanda are quite unique, as two
of the few ‘Aiming High’ Youth Workers throughout the country. They
have worked with three special schools and children in state
schools to access mainstream activities for 13-19 year-olds. Over
the summer they ran a ‘Future Transitions Project’ which supported
young people with SEN’s leaving school and planning to go on to
college.
Cllr David Sawyer, portfolio holder for
Children’s Services, at Bedford Borough Council, said: “The borough
is very privileged to have two Aiming High Youth Workers.
Both Stephanie and Amanda work tirelessly to organise lunchtime
clubs at special schools in order to outline ways in which young
people can try out different activities to maximise positive ways
to spend their leisure time. Both Youth Workers are making an
impressive difference to individuals’ lives. Their support and
guidance is priceless, as they help young disabled people grow in
confidence and take on activities that they may not have felt they
could do previously.”
If you are interested in gaining further
information on this ‘Aiming High’ project, contact Joanna Erickson,
IYS SEN Team Manager, at Bedford Borough Council, on 01234
223453.