Over 50 local young people from across Herefordshire who have learning disabilities or more complex needs will receive tailored help and support thanks to a grant from Herefordshire Freemasons to ECHO for Extra Choices in Herefordshire.
The £60,000 grant will support ECHO’s Transition and Taster Day Programme over the next three years. The project will support young people through their transition from Children’s Support Services into Adult Services, which can be a very challenging and confusing time for those with learning and other disabilities. The focus will be to provide a smooth and stress-free transition process that starts whilst they are still at school and is tailored to each individual’s needs. Whilst in their familiar school environment, each young person and their family will get to know ECHO staff members who will provide all the information they need, taking them through the changes that will happen and the choices they need to make.
ECHO’s experts will provide specialist support to help each person to navigate the systems and gently introduce them to the adult services that ECHO provides through attending taster days. Once an individual has completed their transition and is an ECHO participant they will continue to receive as much support as they need as they progress.
The funding will make a significant difference to the lives of young people with disabilities across Herefordshire and will also promote ECHO’s services and raise awareness. The impact on young people who do not receive ample support at this stage in their lives is significant. Without a support network and direction from service providers it is very easy for young people to lose confidence and to choose to stay at home – shrinking their world. The effects of this isolation and potentially slipping through the system can be detrimental to their general wellbeing and mental health.
Alongside supporting young people through their transition, this project will encourage them to join social and sports activities and to make new friends. They will benefit from independent skills training and support to become active in their community – utilising local shops and cafes and joining local groups and events. This in turn will support the families and carers who will gain essential respite time whilst the young people are attending services.
There were 1,050 people registered as having a learning disability at GP practices in Herefordshire in 2020/21 (0.6 per cent of the population). Modelled estimates suggest that GP registers reflect less than a quarter of all adults with learning disabilities, and that the true number in Herefordshire is likely to be around 3,800 people (2.3 per cent of the adult population). This is predicted to increase by around 8 per cent by 2035.
People with learning disabilities are more vulnerable to physical, emotional and financial abuse, coercion, hate crime and harassment. In supporting young people as they progress into adulthood, these issues are talked about openly to provide the skills they need to recognise when they may be being targeted and when they should reach out for support. Other areas of ECHO’s work in the community is focussed on educating children in local schools about hate crime and talking through how everyone can be part of changing this corrosive impact on communities.
The grant from Herefordshire Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.
ECHO’s Chief Officer, Mike Cook said:
“We’re very grateful to Herefordshire Freemasons for their generous grant. Our programme will support many young disabled people to move into adulthood with confidence and the skills they need to lead an active and fulfilling life.”
Michael Holland the Head of Freemasons in Herefordshire, said:
“I’m really pleased we’ve been able to help ECHO with their vital project. It can be such a difficult time trying to navigate the many changes and can be far more challenging for those with learning disabilities. ECHO’s work will reduce stress and anxiety, providing comfort, support and direction for young people in our county. It’s hugely important for those with learning disabilities that this vital project is supported.”
