A CHARITY in Dumfries and Galloway is launching a new region-wide project to help support neurodivergent school leavers.
Better Lives Partnership was established in Castle Douglas in 2016 with five young people in attendance.
The organisation has grown since then with sites in Stranraer, Castle Douglas and Dumfries supporting upwards of 80 young people right across the region to live independent and fulfilling lives.
The charity’s core activity is the Bridge to Employment Programme which aims to prepare young people with the skills and confidence needed to go on to college, work or volunteering.
The course comprises four interlinked core strands: employability; enterprise and the community; independent living and social, mental health and wellbeing.
There are opportunities for lots of creative and sporting activities and outings to local and national venues. The person centred approach seeks to draw out the strengths in every young person who attends and help them to fulfil their potential and follow their dreams.
Better Lives Partnership works closely with schools and has secured funding to deliver an outreach and transitions programme with schools right across Dumfries and Galloway.
The outreach and transitions team consist of team officer Allison Davies and outreach support workers Nadia Anderson and Sam Boyce.
Having already run successful pilot projects in Annan, Sanquhar, Dalbeattie and Castle Douglas with thanks to the D and G Region-wide Community Fund, they are in the process of planning an outreach and transitions programme to schools right across the local authority area.
The team are in the early stages of designing a new programme which will be offered and delivered to secondary schools, supporting groups of senior pupils who are autistic or have other barriers to a positive post school destination.
The programme will involve a mix of in school sessions and transition sessions at one of their sites.
It will help pupils transition smoothly to Better Lives Partnership should they find that the charity is the right choice for them after school.
It is all being made possible by The National Lottery Community Fund, The Kilgallioch Community Fund and The Holywood Trust.
