I paid a fun visit to Yatton House, a centre for adults with learning disabilities. It was their Christmas Lunch today so I managed to indulge in a bit of festive disco and karaoke before they all headed out to feast!
Manager Wendy Richardson and her team showed me around the centre and explained how they use various activities to promote the development and independence of their members. Those activities include things like wood work, craft, leisure, gardening, and home economics. Some of the volunteers I met had been there for over 20 years
I was inspired to visit Yatton House after a resident in Great Broguhton raised with me the importance of services for adults with special needs. Often, with special needs, our focus is on children in school and the lady from Great Broughton was keen for me to also understand the needs of adults as well. Everybody I met today was happy, fulfilled and thoroughly enjoying their time at Yatton House which was wonderful to see. Centres like this exist through a combination of local government funding, paid membership, ancillary business activities carried on alongside the main work, and valuable financial support from the local community.