2019-02-18 09:20:17
Adults with learning disabilities are embarking on new adventures thanks to shoppers in the Cotswolds.
A learning disabilities service run by Hft received a £3,500 grant through Tesco’s Bags of Help scheme and will now be able to offer new educational experiences for adults supported at its day opportunities centre.
The service is situated in market town Moreton in Marsh, where public transport is limited, making it difficult and time consuming for adults supported at the service to travel further afield.
All this is set to change thanks to the Hft service’s new Breaking the Boundaries scheme, which will pay for transport hire and entrance fees allowing adults with learning disabilities to access cultural and social activities aimed to enrich and educate. Planned excursions include trips to museums, the theatre, and cinema.
Funds for the scheme were raised with help from Tesco customers in Moreton in Marsh and Stow on the Wold, who were given tokens in November and December last year to donate to one of three local causes. Hft’s Breaking the Boundaries initiative came out on top and received the first prize grant of £3,500.
Hft support worker Anna Kendry led the initiative and is delighted with the outcome:
“We’re so pleased that the local community have gotten behind us and that we’ve had such a good result from the Bags of Help scheme. It’s great to have recognition and support for our work helping people with learning disabilities to live the best life possible.
“Having the opportunity to travel beyond our local area will make a huge difference to the lives of people we support. We all enjoy learning new things and broadening our horizons and adults at our service are no different. First on the list is an outing to the Black Country Living Museum!”
Alec Brown, Tesco’s Head of Community, said:
“Bags of Help contributes funds to community projects up and down the country and we’ve been overwhelmed by the response from customers voting in their local stores. We’re looking forward to seeing more projects brought to life.”
Tesco community grants fund thousands of local projects across the UK. Successful projects range from improving community buildings and outdoor spaces to buying new equipment, training coaches or volunteers and hosting community events. Administration of the local funding is being managed by community charity, Groundwork, which specialises in transforming communities and the local environment for the better.
Hft currently supports more than 2,900 people with learning disabilities across the country. This includes supporting people with learning disabilities to live independently in their own homes, providing employment services to help people develop skills and experience for work and helping people to pursue hobbies, make new friends and get involved in their local communities.
Notes to editors
For further information please email media.enquiries@hft.org.uk
About Hft
Proudly established in 1962 by a group of visionary parents, Hft is a charity supporting more than 2,500 learning disabled adults in England and Wales. Together, we are creating a future where learning disabled people and their families can live the best life possible.
Providing personalised support. Creating solutions for living independently. Coming together to campaign for positive change. Fundraising for new opportunities and a bigger impact.
In 2033, we’ll live in a world where learning disabled people have greater choice. About where they live. The support they need and want. And how to spend their time and money.
Learning disability versus difficulty
A learning disability is different from a learning difficulty but the terms are often confused and used inter-changeably. A learning difficulty does not affect general intellect, whereas a learning disability is a life-long condition characterised by a reduced intellectual ability and struggle with everyday activities.
–
For more information about Hft please visit www.hft.org.uk
Location: Hft Worcestershire Area
