Talented trio form newsletter team
Three adults with learning disabilities are making the headlines after they completed a series of newsletters giving an insight into life at a Rugby day centre
Jim Smith, Mark Varney and David Smith are all from Rugby and attend Warwickshire County Council’s Bloxham Centre which provides a day service for adults with learning disabilities.
It all began two years ago when Bloxham Centre and Community Education joined forces to put together a course looking at Empowerment, for people with learning disabilities. Six people from Bloxham Centre completed the one year course, led by Eileen Gane from Community Education and supported by Colleen Stevens, a Day Centre Officer at Bloxham Centre.
The training included communication skills, listening skills and advocacy skills. The group then went on to do a one year course in basic literacy and IT skills, with a view to learning and developing the skills they would need to produce the newsletter.
Some of the original group have gone on to do other things but Jim, Dave and Mark have been involved with all three newsletters that have been produced so far, and
are just about to start their fourth.
Jim said
“I can switch the computer on and get into the word programme. I type the words, spell check my work then save it and print it. I am really proud of the newsletter.”
David said
“We also know how to use the digital camera, and I can now use Clip Art and Word Art as well. I love working on the newsletter it’s great fun.”
Sarah O’Shaughnessy, Deputy Manager at Bloxham Centre said that the aim of the newsletter was to tell parents and carers and all the people who work in partnership with Bloxham about all the different things staff and service users do at the centre.
She added
“The aim of our service is to support people to develop their skills and become as independent as possible. Whilst enabling them to access local facilities and amenities, like Community Education, so that people feel part of their community. People with learning disabilities are often on the receiving end of services, when in reality, with the right support they actually have a lot to offer.
“It’s fantastic that the course run by Community Education has equipped the Newsletter Team with the skills necessary to produce a Newsletter that goes out to around 100 readers. Our ultimate aim would be for the Newsletter to be self funding. We are developing an advertising page where people can buy and sell things or advertise local events, for a very small fee.”
For further information or to place an advert please call Colleen Stevens or Sarah O’Shaughnessy on 01788 565556.