Activities

Every individual supported by Homes Caring for Autism is encouraged to participate in a range of activities that complements their likes and preferences whilst enhancing their current daily life skills and educational aspirations. This fully complements the five accomplishments of O’Brien that include community presence, participation, choice, respect and dignity. To succeed in this aim each home ensures that every care plan is person centred and allows for the individuals to express how they would like to fill their leisure and educational time.  Once the aims have been agreed, the allocated Key Workers take on the role to support the individuals to resource locate the activities they prefer.

Educational opportunities are provided in house or through external agencies.  Links have been made with local further education and college centres, and individuals are supported to access courses that they would like to attend.  These have ranged from learning disability access courses  (wood work, arts and crafts, computers) to the more complex GCSE, BTEC and other accredited courses as CPTD; these courses will prepare students for independent living and the world of work. Choices include horticulture and garden services; volunteer projects; production, enterprise and retail; media, film and art; customer service and independent living skills.  For those individuals who wish to further their learning but choose not to attend an educational institution, Homes Caring for Autism offers in-house ASDAN courses, personally tailored to meet the unique learning needs and preferences of each individual.  Homes Caring for Autism has an internal accredited ASDAN tutor who provides support to the home facilitators.

Work experience and voluntary work placements for individuals being supported by Homes Caring for Autism are tailored to reflect their interests, needs and requirements.  Examples of placements currently supported include retail work in charity shops and garden centres, and office work for Somerset Football Association.  The emphasis on these types of placements are to enable the individuals to gain the practical and social skills needed within the workplace as well as providing them with the opportunity to achieve self actualisation through being a valued member of  a staff team.

Leisure opportunities are supported to enable individuals to pursue their leisure preferences whilst enhancing their social skills and physical and emotional well-being.  Activities include those in the home as well as supporting individuals to access activities outside the home.  Leisure activities include bowling, swimming, rock climbing, ice skating, gym, trampolining, peer social clubs, cinema, horse riding and a vast array of person centred interests.  Every individual is supported to participate in their local community by using local services including public transport, libraries, shops and services.

Halloween 2011

Throughout the year, the homes get together for a variety of social events, including Halloween. Below is a selection of photos from this year's party: