Support for people with disabilities

Hansel, in collaboration with South Ayrshire Health & Social Care Partnership, has launched a number of new initiatives to help people with learning disabilities and their families struggling to cope without regular support during the pandemic.

A new micro- break service will enable up to ten people to visit the Baird Centre at Hansel’s headquarters in Symington.

Customers will receive one- to- one support, with safety protection in place, and take part in activities including; arts and crafts, music and dance, IT and gaming, wellbeing and exercise, and horticulture and recycling.

Hansel has also adapted the interiors of its mini- buses to enable people to enjoy support outwith their homes including walks, drives, and even a drive- thru stop off. And the care organisation is also running a closed community Facebook Group for interaction and virtual activities including the regular quiz.

Roddy Wright, Operations Director, Hansel, said: “We’ve redesigned our activities to comply with infection control guidance and enable deep- cleaning and offer alternative, safe support which we can hopefully extend over the coming weeks. By working together, we can reach out to others and hopefully help cheer people up as well. We are grateful to the Partnership for their continued support which has allowed us to look at alternative and flexible ways of helping.”

Hansel is one of Ayrshire’s leading care organisations supporting people and their families living with a learning disability and autism.

Further information is available from www. hansel. org. uk