Directory: Learning Difficulties

The 5 O’clock Club meet every 2nd Wednesday of the month between 5pm – 8pm, at The Art Bank Café, 13 High Street, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5AA.

They offer adults with learning difficulties a social evening out in a safe and welcoming environment, the premises will not be open to the public, however the café and bar will be open for people to purchase light refreshments between 5pm-6pm.

Food will be served between 5pm-6pm, monthly activity/socialising takes place between 6pm-7pm and we end the evening with an all request disco.

Entry is free and all food and drinks must be purchased at the bar.

Somerset Council aim to provide accessible services for library members with special needs or disabilities. They offer support and services for carers, foster carers, home educators and child minders.

Specialist book collections cover mental health, autism, dementia, long-term conditions, adult literacy and learning English. If you have an accessibility issue not covered by these initiatives, please speak to library staff.

Additional concessions if you are blind, partially sighted or have other disabilities that affect reading such as dyslexia.

Boccia is an inclusive game for disabled people, older people and their carers. It is similar to bowls but easier to play. Hosted by Key-Ring and run by Nova Sport & Coaching.  Every other Thursday 1:30pm-2:30pm at the Cheese and Grain, Market Yard, Justice Lane, Frome BA11 1BE.

English National Concessionary Travel Scheme Passes are available for residents of Somerset who are of pensionable age or eligible on the grounds of disability. The pass allows you to travel free on buses in every area of England subject to certain time restrictions. Download application form online or contact Transporting Somerset who will post form.

A peer-led support and social group for adults with mild learning difficulties, NDD or Autism Spectrum conditions. Face-to-face peer support in a friendly, relaxed environment. Support staff are welcome.

Free of charge, refreshments provided. Always the first AND last Tuesday of the month, 3.30pm to 5.30pm.

The Lawrence Centre, 37 Chamberlain Street, Wells, BA5 2PQ.  Contact Frances on the email below for more information.

Created so that people know where to find ‘accessible’ health information.  ‘Accessible’ information is information that uses easy words with pictures covering food and exercise; informative health videos and useful health advice. There are over 500 leaflets on Easyhealth made by many different organisations.  You can print off nearly all the leaflets straight away.

Swimming and hydrotherapy sessions for children and young people with a disability or additional need aged between 5-18 years. The opportunity to develop water confidence, water skills and therapeutic movement in the water. There may be a waiting list.

Frome: Tuesdays between 4.00 – 6.00pm at Harry’s Hydro (Critchill School), Frome BA11 4LB.

OpenStoryTellers is an arts-based charity created to enrich and empower the lives of people who have learning disabilities or autism. Through the use of story and narrative we help people to develop their communication skills and find their voice: to be heard, understood, valued and included, and to make choices in their lives.

Most of our activities happen at Rise, in the centre of Frome, Whittox Lane BA11 3BY. We offer a range of activities that can be enjoyed by people with diverse interests and abilities, and include people that have more severe communication difficulties.

• Hang out with friends, share stories
• Join in crafts, gardening, cooking, hobbies
• Use Computers, get on-line
• Make music, films, theatre

Brand new to OpenStoryTellers, we are excited to offer a Wellbeing Group for people with learning disabilities and autism aged 18+

It’s taking place on Tuesday mornings from 10am – 12 noon.

The group will be exploring healthy eating, gentle exercise, yoga, aromatherapy, creative writing and more!

Spaces are limited, so please telephone first if you’d like to book a place for someone. Cost per session is £2.

Orchard Vale Trust is a local charity offering residential, day and community services to adults with learning disabilities. Orchard Vale Trust offer opportunities that enable people to develop social, communication and independent living skills, so that they are able to feel more connected and engaged within their local communities. The opportunities are offered in various locations within the Mendip area.

This project aims to benefit people with learning disabilities and people who are isolated, elderly or vulnerable in the community. A gardening service, led by adults with learning disabilities will be available to people in the community who are unable to care for their gardens themselves.

The activities include:  garden assessments – garden maintenance – garden waste disposal and some planting. Call the number below, leave your contact name and number and the jobs you would like done and the gardening team will call you back.

The Pod is a local charity supporting individuals with additional needs. The charity creates opportunities and provides safe, supportive, sociable, and enterprising spaces that improve the quality of life for young carers as well as children and adults with disabilities and their families.

They run a weekly youth club, a weekly social group and other various fun community groups. For more information on the various groups they run please visit their website. If you would like to find out more about the various volunteering opportunities with Pod please contact them for more information.