Improving Services for Disabled Children & Young People in Wiltshire

BRIDGING  PROJECTS

for young people aged 13-19yrs

with a disability

What are

Bridging Projects?

Bridging Projects are 'youth clubs' specifically aimed at disabled young people aged 13-19; for those who may find it difficult, because of their special needs, to attend regular youth provision within their community.

The aims  of the projects  are to enable  young people with a disability to access positive activities, make new friends, socialise, learn new skills and get advice. 

Members have a range of impairments including those on the Autistic Spectrum, Aspergers, dyspraxia, emotional and behavioural difficulties, other learning difficulties and some physical disabilities.

Bridging Projects aim to reduce or 'bridge' (hence the name!)  the gap between disabled young people and their non-disabled peers, and to integrate disabled young people within the community they live in.

With the support of a 'Peer Mentor'  disabled young people are  included, involved, interested and inspired at  Bridging Projects.

Youth Development Co-ordinators work  with  young disabled people and their peer mentors, involving them in planning and deciding what  activities or projects they could like to do during their session.

One  group of young people in Salisbury,  for instance, wanted to have a  disco night in the centre of their town - this now takes place on a regular basis and is called 'Go Bananas'. A weekly café project for young people to gain work experience is another example. 

Opportunities such as these  provided through Bridging Projects, give young people a chance to enhance their personal and social development, whilst empowering them to have a voice. 

       Get involved

            with a

    Bridging Project!

What's on offer?

Over the last year, those young people attending Bridging Projects - currently 10  throughout Wiltshire, have  enjoyed  and been involved in all sorts of exciting positive activities, such as:

Outdoor Conservation Work

Making  bird boxes as a part of an ongoing project around wildlife and the  environment;

Residential Trip to the Isle of Wight

Taking part in various outdoor activities like abseiling, giant swing, Jacobs’s ladder, low ropes course, cultural activities, and problem solving team games. The young people gained new skills and developed confidence, to which some were able to conquer their own fears and make many new friends!

Animation Film

Making models, props, scenery and producing an edited film.

Others got involved with updating Sparksite (see below for details), had a go at ten pin bowling and archery, or have got creative with arts and crafts, drama, cooking, jewellery-making, using computers or have simply enjoyed group and table games. 

One member has been involved in WAY

 (Wiltshire Assembly of Youth)

in speaking up for young people with disabilities.