8 October 2018.
A group of young disabled people and their families are working together to design their ideal future upon leaving school, with a wider network of support that can help make it a reality.
‘The Big Plan’ started last week with the first of 12 sessions running until just before Christmas.
Each young person attends six of these evening sessions – either opting to come to the Monday or Wednesday group each week – alongside their families, and friends in many cases.
The first half an hour of each session brings the group together to share food and get to know one another. The remaining two hours are dedicated to building their plans through fun, creative exercises which consider their future potential.
Putting everyone in a room together extends their family and friends network to include the other young people, their families and their friends – most of them going through very similar experiences in life at the same time.
But Grapevine wants to boost those numbers even further to include ‘group supporters’ – people not previously linked to the young people who can offer a listening ear, draw out their all-important ideas and above all ensure their voice is amplified throughout the process.
Group supporters need to be flexible in supporting them in whatever way is needed.
The Big Plan is coordinated by Teenvine – the youth branch of Grapevine – and funded by BBC Children in Need as a project to help young people of 18 years and younger overcome the effects of disadvantages they face.
Could you spare a couple of hours one evening each week over the next few weeks (last session runs on 17 December) to help guide these young people through a period of transition and see them emerge on the other side armed with a big plan for a beautiful life?
Sessions run at Backhaus & Co at FarGo Village in Coventry from 6pm – 8.30pm.
If so, please call Chloe, Coleman or Molly on 02476 631040 extension 113 or 106.
Alternatively, drop them a line by email at:
candrew@grapevinecovandwarks.org
Please note the sessions have started – the sooner we hear from you the better.