"Services for people with Learning Disabilities after they leave school"

About: Learning Disability Community Services / Day Opportunities Learning Disability Community Services Day Opportunities Ballymena BT43 6DA

Posted by MCR Storyteller (as a parent/guardian), last week

My son is in his 20s and since leaving school his Day Ops co-ordinator Zara has managed to find him a wide variety of activities. He now has Day Opportunities 5 days per week.
He loves music and drama and I have always wished there was a Performing Arts Day Opportunity for him. I am delighted to say the trust have now sourced a program called Vibe Arts which is run by CMac Creative Arts and MayWe. He attends this and just loves it. There is a great vibe. We are all looking forward to their upcoming first show 🙂
He has also attended Ballymoney Base every year and really enjoys mixing with friends and the variety of activities offered there. Base takes most suggestions from the members themselves and tries to do the things they want to do.
He goes to Alternative Angles in Coleraine for Work Experience and is now keen to find a job for one morning per week to start with.
In the past he attended NRC and may return next year, as he enjoys college and might have a free day.
This year he has also been attending Heros+, a program run by Mencap and delivered by CAN. He loves this and looks forward to it every week.
You can’t really help worrying about when you child leaves school what will be there for them. I feel lucky that he has such a variety of activities to go to which he enjoys.

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learning disability

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Garth Anderson

Day Opportunities Programme Manager, Day Opportunities,

NHSCT

Submitted on 10/04/2025 at 09:44

Published on Care Opinion at 09:44

MCR%20Storyteller, thank you for taking the time to share your positive experiences of our Day Opportunities Service as they relate to your son at the challenging time of leaving school. I'm delighted to hear he has such a varied and stimulating week with the ongoing support of one of our Day Opportunities Coordinator Zara - with creative performing arts through MayWe (and I too am looking forward to the show in May); recreational activities with his friends at the Ballymoney Base and vocational training through social enterprise at Alternative Angles Coleraine and support from CAN/Mencap. These contractual partnerships the Day Opportunities Service have with the voluntary and community sector across the NHSCT are important to the success of our service and the range of choices available for young people like your son as they progress from education. I wish your son every continued happiness and every success in securing a suitable job and if he has a free day returning to NRC for further educational activities. Thank you again for your post, its timely as we celebrate 20 years this year of our Day Opportunities service and I hope provides some support and inspiration for other carers as they embark on life beyond school for their sons/daughters.

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