I
NDEPENDENT LIVING FUND (ILF) SCOTLAND, the public body that provides funding to support the independence of disabled people living in Scotland
and Northern Ireland, has awarded £1.7 million to young people in Scotland through its Transition Fund. Having received
over 1000 applications since its launch in December 2017, ILF Scotland now aims to help even more young disabled people aged between 16 and 21 to enhance their independence, confidence and participation within their communities through its Transition Fund. Applicants are
eligible for grants of up to £7,500, which can be used to fund new activities and experiences that will improve their transition from childhood into adulthood, such as joining a sporting club, learning to drive or buying equipment to start a new hobby. Cait Kostka, who at 19, applied to the fund to help set up her own bakery business, explained: “Living with autism,
One thousand young disabled people able to try something new thanks to life-changing funding
I discovered a love of baking which hugely helped boost my confidence. I applied to the Transition Fund as I wanted to explore how I could turn my hobby into a career. The funding I received from ILF Scotland helped me to buy all the baking equipment I needed to start my business, as well as enabling me to rent a kitchen space. I now regularly supply private customers and will soon be working
with local coffee shops.” All young people aged
between 16-21 living with a physical or mental impairment in Scotland are encouraged to apply. This includes people with autism, learning difficulties and physical disabilities, as well as those with mental health, hearing or visual impairments. Those aged 15 are also eligible to apply, with successful
applicants receiving their funds when they turn 16. To apply online email
enquiries@ILF.scot with the
subject heading ‘Online application request’ or download the application form via the ILF Scotland website at
www.ilf.scot/transition-fund to apply by email or post.
Beaumont College Students on the Road to Duke of Edinburgh Success S
tudents at the mixed-ability Barrow college are preparing to take on the Langdale Valley in a bid to achieve their Silver Duke of
Edinburgh Award. A group of seven students from Beaumont
College, located within Barrow Sixth Form College, are working towards their Duke of Edinburgh Silver Awards. The students, who have a range of complex needs including physical disability, cerebral palsy and autism, are preparing to undertake an independent trek through the Langdale Valley later this year. As part of their training, the students are learning map skills and camp cookery. Beaumont College of Further Education provides
a person-centred curriculum to young people with physical and learning disabilities, ages 19 to 25. The team of students participating in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards are also members of the Adventure Film Making group run at college by outdoor tutor David Liley, so the trek will be well- documented, with students editing their footage into
a final presentation. Rachel Diss, an Occupational Therapist who
established the Duke of Edinburgh awards at Beaumont College, Barrow, said: “I’m really passionate about our students having the opportunity to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards. It’s a fantastic way for our students to learn and to develop their independence whilst finding new interests, like map reading and building confidence in their own abilities. “When out in the wilderness,
Nathan, Pip, Liam, Chloe, Natasha, Aaron and James
following a route with a heavy bag on their back, it brings our students a great sense of relief from anxiety, many of whom,
ordinarily, might not be expected to fend for themselves. The hardest part for the staff is stepping back and allowing the students to help themselves as a group.” Aaron Canfield, a Barrow student and participant
in the Duke of Edinburgh Award, said: “I am proud of what I have achieved being on expedition and have enjoyed working in my team to camp and walk along our route.”
For more information contact Beaumont College on 01524 541400 54 Ability Needs Magazine
Transition Fund recipient Cait used her funding to start her own bakery business
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
