Parchment Trust day centre offers vital home from home for disabled youngsters
Life for young people can be difficult at the best of times.
For youngsters with disabilities or learning difficulties in can be even more alienating and frustrating. Thank goodness then for organisations like The Parchment Trust. The charity, which has a base in Nelson Road, helps young adults with disabilities develop vital skills, increase their levels of independence and, most importantly, give them somewhere to make friends.
Dozens of people currently visit the charity's day centre, with some having been going four or five days a week for more than 10 years.
Far from being a care-free youth club, The Parchment Trust offers the young adults a calm environment where they can pick up useful skills such as cooking, cleaning and how to use a computer.
Each service user also works toward individual projects and goals as well as developing social skills. it also provides the young people's families with a valuable respite.
While it has its serious side though, The Parchment Trust is certainly somewhere people look forward to going - and not just the users. For the staff as well it can be a hugely rewarding experience.
For some of the young adults, the Nelson Road HQ has become a home from home for them and visiting the day centre is something they could not do without. But what exactly makes it so special? One service user, called Grant, explained: "I love coming here. I get to meet my friends and learn new things and the staff are really nice."
Another, Dominic, said he had been going to The Parchment Trust for more than a decade. He said: "It is great. I am really interested in old public service films and when I am here I can use the computers to research them. I am currently doing some other work on Vikings. I don't know what I would do if I could not come here."
Others who spoke to The Observer included Judo-mad Charlotte, who has a work placement at a hair and beauty salon and brings her skills to the trust to pamper the other girls and Gary, a budding young chef who prepares the groups' meals.
Another artistic service user was working on his impressive drawings and the trust even had its very own Elvis impersonator.
Although the group does receive funding from social services, it relies heavily on public donations. Many of the people who visit Parchment Trust have their problems, but together with staff they offer each other vital support and friendship. They do not need sympathy. What they do need however is generosity. There cannot be many more causes more deserving of your charity.
To make a donation ring 01424 430212 or drop in to 1A Nelson Road. You are sure to get a friendly welcome.
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Sunday 05 February 2012
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