Students from Rotherham Opportunities College are set to enjoy greater independence thanks to a special donation from four kind-hearted community-based organisations.
Earlier this year the college launched an independent travel training programme. With the aim of helping its students to live as independently as possible in adulthood, the independent travel training scheme helps students with physical and learning difficulties and/or disabilities to develop the vital skills needed to plan and undertake journeys using public transport, enabling them to travel to and from college without assistance.
Since the scheme launched earlier this year, the specialist independent travel training has helped a number of students to explore South Yorkshire, and based upon the positive feedback received from the scheme, the college was keen to ensure more students could benefit from the service. To meet demand, Rotherham Opportunities College turned to members of Rotherham Round Table, Bramley and Wickersley Lions, Rotherham Sitwell Rotary, and the Rotary Club of Rotherham for help.
As a result of the funding received, four members of staff were able to successfully complete training, which will give 40 students the chance to benefit from the scheme during the next 18 months.
When students take part in travel training, each receives one-to-one tuition and support, helping them to plan journeys, manage money, keep safe, as well as developing problem solving skills. After successfully completing the training, students are able to catch buses to college and workplaces.
Over the past year, Rotherham Opportunities College has found its services in high demand. The college supports over 70 students, and they receive a bespoke education programme tailored to helping them overcome the individual challenges they face.
Following the donation, representatives from all three organisations visited the college to find out how the funds had helped , as well as spending time meeting some of the students who have benefitted from the training provided:
Brendan Polkinghorn, Community Service Officer, Rotherham Round Table, said:
“Rotherham Opportunities College is a very special organisation. It was great to meet some of the students who have benefitted from the training, and the vital work the college undertakes is giving their students a chance to develop new skills, which they will be able to use for the rest of their lives.”
David Drayson, Past President and a Member of Bramley & Wickersley Lions’ Welfare Committee, said:
“Spending time with the students gave us all a real insight into the incredible work that Rotherham Opportunities College delivers. I was fascinated to hear of the positive impact of travel training; the broader support provided by Rotherham Opportunities College is helping to transform lives. We met one student who openly told us how she struggled to communicate and interact with others when she first joined, but she told us how ROC had changed her life, and as a direct result of the travel training she has benefitted from, how she was able to visit the Sheffield Christmas markets independently, something that would have been impossible for her to have achieved just a short time ago.”
Wilfred Hobkinson, Past President, Rotary Club of Rotherham, said:
“I was very impressed by the hard work and dedication of the team at Rotherham Opportunities College, who are working tirelessly to transform the lives of disabled youngsters in the borough. Speaking to the students gave us a real insight into just how transformational the ability to use public transport can be, and I feel proud that all three organisations have come together to support this terrific asset for the town.”
Dr Perdita Mousley, Principal, Rotherham Opportunities College, said:
“Our aim is to ensure that students who spend time learning at Rotherham Opportunities College are able to enjoy rich and fulfilling lives during adulthood. For many students, the prospect of travelling unassisted can be a daunting one, especially as many are often entirely reliant upon parents and carers for lifts.
Many of the students who have completed independent travel training don’t just use the skills for travelling to college or to the workplace; it can give them increased confidence, as well as giving them the opportunity to spend more time exploring different parts of South Yorkshire. The generous help and support we have received from Rotherham Round Table, Bramley & Wickersley Lions and the Rotary Club of Rotherham means that more students will be able to benefit from independent travel training, giving them the chance to enjoy greater independence as they work towards preparing for life after college.”
Rotherham Opportunities College is an independent specialist college that supports young adults aged 16-25 who have learning disabilities and/or autism. The college provides tailored education programmes, which take a holistic approach towards understanding the individual needs of each student, helping them to develop the vital skills needed to live independently, secure employment and build rich and fulfilling lives during adulthood.