New venture will help adults with learning disabilities be independent
North Devon Cove opens in Barnstaple next week, with all welcome to go along and discover how it will help those with additional needs gain confidence and independence
A new hub helping adults with learning disabilities, SEND needs and autism to gain their independence and improve their lives is opening next week in the centre of Barnstaple.
North Devon Cove CIC in Litchdon Street will be launching with an open week from Monday (September 14) to Friday, with all welcome to drop in and find out more.
Run by teachers Jo Springett, Izzy Bradley and Mark Beades, the Cove is aimed at young adults aged 16-plus who have additional needs and learning disabilities to help them bridge the gap between full-time education and adulthood.
The welcoming, community-based provision will help them continue to learn, develop independence and life skills, build confidence and friendships and take part in meaningful opportunities within the community.
The programme includes learning cooking and everyday living skills such as laundry and budgeting, gardening, travel training such as negotiating public transport and community activities.
Clients will have opportunities to take part in volunteering and learn how to prepare for employment and finding work, as well as creative activities, social opportunities and focusing on health and wellbeing.
Between them, the three teachers have more than 40 years of combined experience in SEND (special educational needs and disabilities), teaching maths and English, plus preparation for adulthood and independent living skills.
They will be supported non-paid directors Pat Glover and Sue Capp, who bring extensive experience in SEND, education and governance. Pat is a retired SENCO, assistant headteacher and former chair of governors, while Sue brings more than 20 years of experience teaching learners with additional needs.
The Cove will be open Mondays to Fridays from 8.30am to 4.30pm and offer full day provision where people can learn and practise independent living skills in a safe and supportive setting.
The type of help and support needed will vary from person to person depending on their needs and the team will work with individuals to establish their own programmes and to work towards specific goals, which might be finding work, or living independently or an increased participation in the community.
Jo Springett: “We set this up because we have identified there's a need for young people to continue to develop skills, either alongside formal education or once they leave formal education at 16-plus and to develop those skills they need to live a fulfilling and independent life.
“So we want to be able to work on cooking and travel training, socialising and create a space that we can continue to develop all their skills.”
The premises include a kitchen, dining area, mock bedroom, laundry facilities, social spaces and creative learning areas designed to support real-life skill development.
Izzy Bradley added: “A big part of what we want to do here at the Cove is to create a community where people feel welcome, they feel safe, they feel able to socialise and then, also, another big part of what we want to do is get out into the wider community as well.
“So, we're going to do lots of things such as budgeting and shopping, travel training and taking part in community events, so that people then feel safe and secure to get out in the big wider world.
“People might stay with us for a short amount of time; they might have a small outcome that they're working towards, just to build up some confidence in their social skills. Other people might be here for a longer period of time.
“We’re going to work to a one-to-four ratio, so individual outcomes can be worked towards and people can come to us and we can work with them to create a bespoke programme of what they do when they come to us.”
North Devon Cove is a community interest company and is working closely with Devon County Council to ensure the provision can be funded through a variety of routes including Direct Payments and Personal Budgets. Private payments are also welcome and the team are happy to discuss payment options.
North Devon Cove is at 30, Litchdon Street and anyone is welcome to drop in during open week, whether they are people who might use the service, parents, carers, professionals or simply those who want to find out more.
If anyone would like to arrange a visit at another time, please call 07747 260446 or email [email protected]
The team will be available to chat further about what they offer and give guided tours of the extensive premises.