Supported Living – Although Individual Futures predominantly offers Day Opportunities, we work in partnership with Supported Living organisations promoting preparedness in our customers and the confidence in taking the next steps to living independently.
It can be a daunting prospect moving out of home, but equipping you with the necessary skills to make your journey an adventure is what we do best! Individual Futures offers a targeted approach to build confidence in areas such as independent travel, shopping, skills in general housekeeping such as bed making and use of a laundrette, money management, self care and anything else you find you need support with along the way. You will see examples of this support throughout our website.
Health Checks – Individual Futures has identified that people with learning disabilities often have difficulty in recognising illness, communicating their needs and using health services. We understand the many reasons and difficulties in accessing the GP for regular health checks; furthermore, a change to routine, an unfamiliar place or alien environment for some, can be challenge enough without the stress of examination.
Individual Futures offer a short weekly session that works closely in maintaining the records of blood pressures, weights and the general wellbeing of our customers. The session offers a regular opportunity for customers to engage privately with a friendly face, these relaxed meetings lend themselves to true blood pressure readings and often highlight matters where targeted support may be introduced. The organisation is dedicated to offering high standards of care to all of our customers. We demonstrate the commitment of ensuring the wellbeing of our customers, by offering that little extra quality of time, one of many reasons our person centred approach is unique to the organisation.
Learn All About Me – Each customer has their own ‘All About Me’ portfolio. Think of this as an ongoing account of your achievements, the things you are most proud of, your current goals and the outcomes you are working towards. Your portfolio is a place to showcase your interests and hobbies, it will become an index of your journey with us along the way, it is key in helping us deliver a customer led service by navigating us through a provision that meets your needs and aspirations.
The Learn session itself helps maintain your skills in reading, writing and numeracy. It is a session offering support in money management, form filling, good hygiene, self care, stranger danger, road awareness, healthy living, safety with social media, and much much more… It is an evolving session, delivered in an interactive and fun way, tailored to any age or ability with the fundamental focus on promoting independent decision making.
Individual Futures is an outward looking organisation, constantly seeking to grow community bonds and make a meaningful impact in terms of the social value of the service we offer. We are committed to this principle because our experience has shown us, that it is ultimately what brings about the most positive outcomes for our customers, allowing them to live lives with meaning and purpose.
Our aim is to promote and support independence, choice and social integration. We do this by providing our customers with activities to encourage these attributes. Community presence is high on our agenda, for the customers feeling confident and valued within their local community, is key to successful independent living. Our customers are encouraged to gain a knowledge of the local community and the services available to them. We support independent use of local transport systems and the use of neighbourhood community services.
Healthy Eating – Eating well plays an important part in leading a healthy life. The cooking session enables us to support customers in making informed decisions about their diet, support the understanding of buying responsibly sourced produce, and the teaching of good hygiene around food.
There are multiple cooking sessions throughout the week, delivered to encompass the process and successes of customers cultivating and using organic home grown produce in their sessions. There’s nothing quite like reaping the tasty rewards of your labours! “CUSTOMER QUOTE”
Yoga & Meditation –
There’s nothing better than a gentle class of Yoga to combat the stresses and anxieties of life. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned Yogi, there is a class for you. Be guided by our qualified instructor in correct posture and breathing techniques followed by an optional meditative relaxation session to finish the class. All mats and equipment for the sessions are supplied. “CUSTOMER QUOTE”
Drama Sessions –
Individual Futures are members of the Rainbow Sunshine drama group and access the weekly sessions provided by their professional drama team. Rehearsing for major performances throughout the year at the Bedworth Arts centre leads its members to a production open to the public, which is held at the Bedworth Civic Hall theatre.
This session provides the opportunity to be expressive through the arts, not only through drama and dance, but costume and prop design. For those that might enjoy a taste of culture within their schedule, we offer planned support for those wishing to experience professional performances at the Birmingham Hippodrome and The Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Interactive Communication –
This session is delivered in smaller groups of likeminded people who struggle in areas of speech and communication. These fun activities are designed to reduce the pressures of feeling Self-conscious or anxious and empower those a little less confident in themselves. We find these sessions produce excellent results offering a stepping stone to noticeable improvements in customers speech and communication.
Alongside this session runs a weekly Sign language / Makaton session. In some cases we find that speech supplemented by Makaton often breaks down barriers in communication. This session which derived from a little additional support to a customer, has sparked an interest by many and has now become one of the most popular sessions on the timetable! No matter your skill set, this interactive session will leave you with not only a sense of achievement, but more importantly a perspective of the challenges people with communication difficulties may face, and how we can be better equipped to support one another. “CUSTOMER QUOTE”
Roots and Boots is the name given to our allotment session. This experience is a meaningful leisure activity. Providing a personal experience of sowing, growing, cultivating and harvesting healthy organic vegetables, to share with family and friends of the community.
We have an established allotment plot conveniently located 5 minutes walk from the premises. The plot is comprised of two polytunnels for all year round growing, a 12 foot summer house, and waist height raised beds to avoid strains and stress on joints from excessive bending. Whether you’re a seasoned green fingered gardener extraordinaire, or one challenged by the distinction between weed or vegetable? Our knowledgable team are here to support your growth and understanding in becoming self-sufficient! You will be provided with the necessary tools for the activity, however we ask that appropriate clothing and footwear is supplied by those who wish to access the session. You will be provided with the necessary tools for the activity, however we ask that appropriate clothing and footwear is supplied by those who wish to access the session.
Wood Work & Art and Craft –
Individual Futures feels it is essential for customers to build links with employment and to most certainly be proactive in looking for opportunities of employment, paid or voluntary. Individual Futures encourages and manages this employment link through creative opportunities.
The service provides an outlet for any individual of any ability to create a piece of artwork. We teach customers the art of canvas stretching in preparation for painting, we get creative with a multitude of innovative craft, card and gift making ideas. Customers are always left empowered by their achievements, with gifts for celebrations such as Christmas, Diwali, Easter, Mother’s or Father’s day etc, whatever the theme, the gifts are always well received by their loved ones.
The wood working sessions can include anything from stage and production props for our local drama group, hampers, hedgehog houses, bird boxes, bird feeders, bug hotels and the occasional cat house on request. There’s nothing other than a little imagination needed for a wood work project, so let’s hammer a few ideas out! Sessions run on a flexible timetable and cater for any ability.
We work in partnership with our local cafes, Hospital, corporate organisations and housing associations, where you can see our artwork displayed after having been commissioned. We regularly open our doors to the community for seasonal fates and fund raisers, where customers are supported to sell their hand made crafts, allotment produce… And crumbs, what would a fete be without homemade cakes! It is this presence and the links we share within our community which represents the awareness of employment needs for our customers.
Music Therapy –
It’s been said that, “A picture is worth a thousand words”…
For many of our customers there is nothing quite like music to provoke a sense of unmitigated joy and wellbeing. Music therapy sessions are delivered across three platforms, singing sessions, music quizzes and drum therapy, all encapsulating emotion, expression and promoting confidence and self worth. The session runs on a regular basis and openly welcomes people of any ability to express themselves through the joy of music!
Before the curtains close for the Christmas period, Parents, stakeholders and our local community are invited to the grand finale! This usually comprised of performances from customers wishing to showcase their talents!
We take the looking after of our customers health very seriously indeed, always looking to promote regular exercise across the weeks timetable. Two examples of this are the dance and aerobics sessions which are held at the premises.
Aerobic sessions – A session designed to burn those unwanted calories and build on whatever level of fitness you have! It’s a heart pumping, music thumping, foot stomping session, driven by our very enthusiastic staff team! This session is tailored for customers of varying abilities, including those challenged by mobility who may prefer chair aerobics as an alternative exercise.
Dance Sessions -Another of our most popular weekly sessions… Star Groovers Dance session! Whether you are ready for a Strictly audition or have two left feet, this fun session is suitable for any age or ability. It’s a great way to raise your heart rate, lift your spirits and leave you feeling energised for the remainder of the day. The session is customer led with music stretching across a broad spectrum of genres encompassing a multitude of expressive dance routines.
Discos -There is often the request for a birthday disco at the service, which with lights, lasers and smoke machines, we generally put on a good show! However, with a quieter space available upstairs, alternative sessions are always made accessible to those who may feel a little overwhelmed in busy or loud environments. In addition, we access community discos where customers are encouraged to make new connections and build friendships within their community.
Photography – From Still life to Wildlife, or Macro to Landscapes. Whether you are a complete novice and new to photography, or have greater expertise and willing to share your skills and techniques with others! The photography group welcomes anyone interested in experimenting with imagery.
We have all the necessary starter equipment ready and available to use. From tripods, selfie sticks and light boxes to laptops and editing software. All you need is a little focus and a flash of creative flare! The photography sessions are driven by the interests of the customers. This leads the group to explore places of interest such as local historical ruins, the Atherstone locks and the history of our local canals. Reservoirs and national trust parks, butterfly and tropical bird photography… the list goes on!
This group regularly use public transport to access places of interest, so a bus pass would keep travel costs to a minimum. We would also recommend that anyone keen to pursue this session in more depth, eventually purchase equipment to better understand their own device, with the aim to develop skills further.
I.T sessions -We live in a digital age with virtually unlimited knowledge at our fingertips! Keen to explore and keep our customers vigilant and familiar with technology, we offer regular sessions from our designated I.T suite, where customers are supported to maintain confidence in basic computer skills. In reality it is comparatively easy to identify a person such as a vulnerable adult being targeted or exposed to the possible threat of abuse, however living in a digital age can make recognising these signs extremely difficult. Given the high number in reports of targeted online abuse, the possibilities of customers being exposed to this has increased exponentially over the years. Therefore we believe it imperative that regular guidance and open dialogue on this matter is an important part of safeguarding our customers.
I.T sessions include form filling, light spread sheets use, emails, creative writing, compiling news letters and blogging content, but most importantly guidance in how to use the internet and social media platforms responsibly, and remain safe whilst doing so.