The Care Agency wishes to give a heartfelt thanks to the Disability Society for their recent generous donation to its Disability Service at St Bernadette’s Resource Centre and Dr Giraldi Home. For many years now, the Society have supported people with learning disabilities in so many different ways; this time, they, along with Autism Support, have kindly provided the Care Agency with 2 specialised tricycles. These are accessible to a wide range of people and are easy to ride. Unlike a standard bike, they have three wheels rather than two, therefore the weight is distributed more evenly and are much safer, providing a more relaxed ride and perfect for people with learning disabilities.
The Service aspires to empower and inspire service users with mild to profound and multiple learning disabilities to achieve personal development through a stimulating programme. Therefore, St Bernadette’s respects the individual needs of service users, fosters a caring and therapeutic environment; and emphasizes the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of everyone.
As a result, service users are supported to engage in therapeutic sessions which are suitable to their needs, following occupational therapy assessment. These sessions range from mental well-being groups, living skills and personal development sessions, to physical exercise sessions, depending on the individual needs of each service user.
The Minister for Health and Care, Samantha Sacramento said “I am grateful to the Disability Society and Autism Support for this latest donation, thanks to them. The tricycles offer more opportunities for physical exercise, which slots particularly well into the day centre’s therapeutic programme. In addition, using a tricycle offers the benefits of being outdoors, which is excellent for mental wellbeing. The Care Agency has a long standing relationship with the Disability Society and are so grateful for their endless support”.
The Disability Society and Autism Support would like to take the opportunity to thank the Gibraltar Arms and their staff for the kind donation raised by holding a children’s Christmas party in 2019. It was this donation that was used in part to fund these tricycles.
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