A BOURNEMOUTH social and activities club for people with learning disabilities has launched a new partnership with a disabled social enterprise group.

Bournemouth Gateway and DotComUnity have joined forces to support adults with learning disabilities and their families in Bournemouth and the surrounding areas.

The social club is now also working with Mencap, to focus on people’s health, wellbeing, and leisure activities.

Anna Reeves, Bournemouth Gateway Club Chair, said: “We’ve been running for a couple of years now, but due to the budget cuts that have been going around, we decided to open on Thursdays as well.

“DotComUnity provide a portal of ideas and activities in the local area for people with learning disabilities.

“But a lot of people with learning disabilities don’t have, or know how, to access the internet and use it for research.

“So, DotComUnity will provide the site and on-going training and we’ll do out best to show people with learning disabilities, their families and their carers how to use it in monthly drop-in sessions.”

Mencap have re-launched their awards, which are similar to the Duke of Edinburgh Award, called Mencap Gateway Awards, but are tailored to people with learning disabilities.

Bournemouth Gateway is one of just 20 in the UK to try out the new scheme.

“The Mencap award will give them a sense of achievement and something to work towards.

“Quite often, adults with learning disabilities don’t allow themselves to get involved with big events, such as the Olympics this year, so we want to find ways for them to get involved.

“We are building links with Bournemouth University, so some of their sports students are going to come and volunteer here on a Thursday, and we want to be involved with the annual Family Festival at Meyrick Park.

“What I’m hoping is that we will introduce these people with learning disabilities to things and then they will feel encouraged to carry it on.

“I don’t know of anyone else offering this kind of service and having the funding from Mencap is a massive opportunity for us.”

Anna says that Bournemouth Council charge about £40 a day for a similar service and so there is a big cost difference to the club charging at most £5 every meet.

The social club meets every Thursday, between 10am – 3pm, costing £5, and alternate Saturday evenings, between 7pm – 9pm, for £2.50, at Embassy Youth Centre, Brassey Road, Winton.

The club now has about 50 members on the alternate Saturdays and then about 25 on Thursdays, but they are always looking for new members.

For details on the club, call Anna Reeves, on 07872 627301.