Brightways is Rutland County Councils inhouse day opportunities service for adults with a learning disability and/or autism, part of the Community Support Service. We offer personalised care and support packages for adults and young people with learning disabilities and/or autism, with outcomes and goals to meet each individuals needs and wishes. We support people to access the community resources in and around Rutland.
We also provide tailored activities at our hub based in at Oakham Enterprise Park.
Our skilled staff team aim to give choice and control for each individual, this means we provide a flexible service to meet each individual’s abilities and needs.
We fully understand that everyone is an individual with their own goals, and one size does not fit all. We have developed three pathways to focus and create meaningful day opportunities for everyone we support.
Pathway 1 - specialist support
Individual care plans for those with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD), offering:
physiotherapy programmes
relaxation opportunities
therapeutic and sensory sessions
communication tools
support to broaden opportunities
stimulating activities both in the base and the local community
We work with physiotherapists to provide individual physio programmes. This helps meet our services users needs and boosts their mobility.
Therapeutic and sensory sessions include art therapy, music therapy, hydrotherapy and time to explore our sensory room.
We tailor staffing levels to deliver care effectively and safely.
Pathway 2 - development and wellbeing
We assess each persons skills and needs then provide a personalised plan of care and support, to enable upskilling at their own pace.
independent living skills
health and wellbeing
understanding emotions and feelings
support to access the local community
Our sessions cover basic skills that meet everyday needs of being able to live as independently and healthy as possible. For example, our health and wellbeing sessions include dental care, personal hygiene, nutrition, and food choices.
We help with everyday tasks like shopping, meal planning, and preparation.
We promote social interaction with group activities, community events, and trips to attractions. These sessions are diverse and can be customised to suit personal interests.
We focus on reducing social isolation grow and connecting people with their local community. We promote activities that support everyone to feel included in society.
Pathway 3 - skills for life
Building life skills for a brighter future, including:
enterprise sessions
integrating with the local community
opportunities for employment and volunteering
education and learning
sports and leisure
independent living skills
Our enterprise sessions give people the opportunity to be involved in producing goods and services, for example, they may make craft items. These items are sold at different fundraising events and local markets.
We run a weekly pop-up café. This supports people to learn new skills and gain qualifications such as basic food hygiene courses.
Being involved in producing goods and services also helps individuals feel purposeful and valued.
We combine sessions to create more chances for learning, whilst taking part in fun activities tailored to each persons interest and skills. For example, we combine travel training with swimming sessions and eating out.
We work with local businesses to find volunteering and employment opportunities that match our service users interests, qualifications and skills.
Our tutor-led sessions build knowledge and skills in areas of interest.
We are developing our programme for young people. It focuses on skills for independence and preparing for adulthood.