WECIL launch ‘WECIL Citywide’ youth projects to engage with more young disabled people in Bristol.
Posted on: 10 Apr 2018WECIL (West of England Centre for Independent Living) are excited to announce that they have successfully secured funding from Bristol City Council to continue to run and expand their short breaks and youth participation groups which positively engage with young disabled people in Bristol. The new funding will allow them to roll out two new projects so that they can continue to make a positive impact on more young disabled people living in Bristol.
As part of the new service, WECIL will be teaming up with LPW (Learning Partnership West) who together will offer 76 sessions after school, 12 all day Saturday short break sessions and 2 city wide schools holiday sessions over the next twelve months. Young disabled people can access the service from Southmead, Hillfields and at the Station in the centre of the city.
These are open access sessions so anyone who has special educational needs or is disabled can come along and get involved in sport music and independent living activities or just to meet new people and make friends.
WECIL have also been successful in securing funding a to continue to run The Listening Partnership, a participation group for young disabled people from Bristol that meet monthly at City Hall to collect the voice of young disabled people from across the city and influence the services that they receive.
WECIL are a Disabled People’s User Lead organisation (DPULO) that has 22 years’ experience of working with disabled people across the South West. They offer a range of different services that support the WECIL community, including Direct Payment Support Service, Payroll, Social Activities, Employment Support, Training, Benefits Advice, Youth Groups and Advice and Advocacy.
"WECIL are passionate about ensuring everyone has equal opportunities and strive to ensure that no one is excluded from society. We always encourage new people to join our groups and will ensure that all access needs are met."
LPW transforms the lives of children and young people through exceptional play activities, support and education. LPW delivers services where the biggest differences and most impact can be made for people and communities.
"We are excited to be working with LPW; together we look forward to creating more opportunities for young disabled people in Bristol and extending our services to more young people across the city.’’
If you or someone you know would like to access the groups then please contact Youth Services Manager, Emma Kneebone on:
Telephone: 0117 947 9911
Telephone: 07795 446317
Email: emma.kneebone@wecil.co.uk
More information about the groups/sessions can be found on the WECIL website here, you can also visit their calendar page for specific dates.
Article by:
Hannah recently graduated with a degree in English with Writing. She is an avid writer, freelancer and creative. She is currently writing her first full-length novel and a collection of poetry. Always out and about in Bristol's music scene, she attends music events on a weekly basis.
