Smart solutions for people with a learning disability

By Lorraine Boyd - last updated on Thu, 21/10/2010 - 12:45

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Positive Futures is a local charity supporting children and adults with a learning disability and their families across Northern Ireland.

We employ some 400 staff and are supported by over 200 volunteers. We are a down-to-earth, innovative organisation that works with local communities. Our ‘can-do’ attitude enables the people we support - and their families- to live the ‘ordinary’ lives most of us take for granted. Our Person-Centred approach ensures that the individual is at the centre of decision-making about their future. Our services are underpinned by the principles of inclusion, person centredness, partnership working and citizenship, principles which also underpin the Bamford vision he for services for people with a learning disability.

We have two services within the North Down area:

East Coast Service - supporting 17 adults with a learning disability in Bangor, and 4 in Portavogie

The service is supporting adults, many of whom previously lived in institutional and hospital settings, to live as independently as possible in their ‘own homes’

Bangor Families Service - supporting 29 children with a learning disability and their families

Using person centred planning and community development approaches, children and families are supported to live ordinary lives in the community and to contribute as equal citizens.