Activity Sessions for Adults with Disabilities
A story by Cambo Heritage Trust
We provided a core activity programme of two art sessions per week a 42 weeks (84 sessions) and shorter programmes of woodland activity (12 sessions overall) for those with less mobility problems.
Carers could join the sessions with their cared for adult or take time for themselves. In addition to this we piloted two activity days for young carers providing summer outdoor activities for the young carers on their own and also a day to enjoy with their families. This included a campfire, crafting activities and woodland and beach walk.
What Activity Sessions for Adults with Disabilities did
We worked with a core Lead Artist and Support Worker for our arts programmes who had worked with us on the previous years programme funded by The Short Breaks Fund. We worked with our Learning & Engagement Officer and two regular Support Workers for the Woodland Activity Sessions. We advertised the opportunity through carers groups in Fife, both Statutory and Family led advocacy groups. We also advertised in the local area and at our site. This proved a better route for family carers in the area accessing our services as we made a direct connection.
We did not have a specific criteria for who we worked with and offered participation through a trial basis to see if activities worked for the individual and their family. As a responsive programme we were able to tailor activities for everyone who requested the service. At the start of the programme we were delivering activity in Cambo Farmhouse - a large conservatory room with full disabled access. We moved the programmes into our new Visitor Centre in August into a new redeveloped Studio Space. We delivered 84 art sessions and participants and their Carers (if attending) took part in a variety activities from drawing and painting, printmaking, clay sculpture, mosaic and felt making.
In our woodland activities participants took part in clearing areas of woodland, harvesting fruit and vegetables and woodcraft (splitting wood, carving, oiling etc).
During the sessions most family carers took time for themselves to undertake errands unable to do whilst caring or to have a relaxing break for a few hours.
His mum attended a sharing event and made an impassioned speech thanking staff for the opportunity for her son to make a positive contribution to the environment. Through working with his Ben and his mum we have supported them both to direct their own activity provision.
What Cambo Heritage Trust has learned
The funding has enabled us to make connections with families in the local area who can benefit from our services. We are now more aware of need in the local area for future development. We have always been responsive in our services but the fund has enabled us to deliver a range of high quality activities with very experienced staff and respond to individual need (as above).Now we have a new café we have a location where we can promote activity informally to visitors who are less likely to ask for support. Our programmes are more visible in the new Visitor Centre.
Funded Organisation
Cambo Heritage TrustVisit Cambo Heritage Trust's website