Supporting you to live the life you want

Supporting you

We work on an individual basis with you and your circle of support to develop personal plans and help you to do the things that are important to you.

We can offer help with:

Exploring choices and options
Understanding your rights
Having your voice heard
Joining in community activities
Gaining new skills
Exploring volunteering and job opportunities
Improving physical health
Signposting services and information

Leisure

We have regular social groups which meet at the Winchester Discovery Centre. Drop in lunches on Tuesday and Friday, Afternoon Tea on Monday.

Our monthly Go Social evening is very popular and activities range from Discos and Karaokes, nights out in Eastleigh and Southampton to go bowling or to Sprinkles Gelato. We have river walks, picnics, BBQs in the summer and trips to the local pub and restaurants in Winchester.

We provide a safe, relaxed and welcoming environment to meet people, have fun and build confidence.

During the summer holidays we run day trips around Hampshire. If you have any ideas of good places to visit please let us know.

Click here to visit our What’s On page for our full calendar line-up of events.

We can also help you explore new hobbies and discover new groups.

Many of our members also join Blue Apple Theatre for dance and drama classes and performances

Person Centred Plans and Advocacy

We will listen to you and the people who support you
We will support you to develop the skills, confidence and knowledge to voice your concerns and make sure you are at the centre of your plans
We will help you think about what you would like to do and support you to set up a circle of support with the right people to help you
We can help with letters or go to meetings with you
We can help to make sure procedures are followed correctly
Signposting you to information and advice.

If you would like to know more please email info@winchestergold.org.uk. You can download our PCP referral form here. pcp_referral_form_hampshire

Safer Places

The Safer Places scheme is to help people when they are out. A Safe Place is somewhere you can go to for help if you are upset or frightened. Safe Places in Hampshire is run with Hampshire County Council. Winchester Go LD was involved with setting up Safer Places in Winchester in 2011. There are now over 12 shops and businesses signed up.

How can a safe place help me?

You can apply to receive a Safer Places card. When you fill out your card you put the telephone numbers of people who can help you if something happens, like support or family members.

If you feel frightened or need help when you are out you can go into any shop that is showing the Safe Place sticker in their window.

Staff at the Safe Place will help you phone for help and you can wait at the Safe Place until you are OK to leave.

Where are the safe places?

Safer Places is running in Winchester, Bishops Waltham and Alresford as well as in other parts of Hampshire. Safe Places have a sticker in the window or have the logo displayed to let you know they are a Safe Place.

Safe Places are all places that are open to the public such as shops, offices or public buildings.

If you would like a card or to know more about the scheme please contact us at info@winchestergold.org.uk. You can also visit us at the Winchester Discovery Centre or staff at Winchester Community Link.

Smoothie Bike

Our Smoothie Bike supports adults with a learning disability to run a pedal powered Smoothie Bike at summer fairs and events.

The project promotes social and work skills, food hygiene and money handling. It is also a great way to reinforce healthy messages regarding the benefits of fresh fruit, exercise and sustainable energy in a unique and engaging way.

Our regular summer events include the St Cross Summer Fair, Osborne School Fete, the Littleton & Harestock Show and the Go LD Garden & Craft Sale.

The team definitely add the fun factor to almost any event! Please contact us if you would like to be involved in the Smoothie project or to book us for an event you are running.

Work

Winchester Go LD believes that everyone who wants a job, deserves the chance to have one.

Less than 1 in 5 people with a learning disability work (compared with 1 in 2 disabled people generally). But research shows that at least 65% of people with a learning disability want to work.

We can look with you at what skills you already have, how you can improve those skills and learn new ones

We can offer you support in looking and applying for jobs and prepare for interviews.
We can offer you support by accompanying you to interviews.
We can also offer support to you if you would like to volunteer. This could help you to become more employable or you may decide to become self-employed

Are you an employer looking for staff?

You may be interested to know that research from the Joseph Rowntree Trust shows that people with learning disabilities are generally reliable, more likely to stay with one employer for a long time and tend to take less time off.

Many of our members have been in long term employment.
Please contact us so that we can work with you on 01962 873608 or email info@winchestergold.org.uk.