The resource is for adults with disabilities, their families and carers and also for the benefit of the wider population of west Lothian.
Philosophy
Five different agencies based in the same accessible building working together to reduce barriers & promote inclusion.
Working Together
Social Work Ability Centre Support Services
Community Rehabilitation and Brain Injury Service
Council Information Service
Livingston Area Housing Office
Disability West Lothian
Ability Centre Support Services
The service provides the following;
Centre based occupational and therapeutic activities.
Supported community based programme of opportunities.
Brokerage into other educational and leisure activity.
Supported Activity based programme for young people.
Sessional programme of short courses to maximise skills
for independent living.
Work experience and other educational / training opportunities.
The Ability Centre -
Based Support Services provides the core elements of services offered to people with a physical disability living in West Lothian, providing a "Centre of Excellence" in physical disability services.
Within the Ability Centre each client has an individual programme working towards agreed goals. This enables clients to recognise and realise their full potential.
Work experience opportunities are available on the reception and cafeteria cash desk. Other supported work experience placements are arranged outwith the Ability Centre, an initiative jointly progressed by a Support Service Officer and a representative of the Job Centre Plus Action Team.
There are four distinct service elements of the Ability Centre Support Services, namely-
Extended Rehabilitation
This is primarily aimed at those people who have experienced a change of life circumstance and who require a time limited, focused period of rehabilitation.
Enhanced Personal Development
Clients who for a time-limited period, require a supported environment which allows them to build their self-esteem and confidence.
Quality Maintenance
Clients who have the capacity to participate in, with adequate levels of support, a tailor-made package of opportunities.
Outreach
Clients are those who are assessed as being socially isolated and vulnerable but are deemed to have the capacity to benefit from accessing a range of community based activities given the appropriate levels of staffing support, advice and information.
Community Links
In order to offer a wider range of opportunities and to enable an increasing number of people to access them, the Ability Centre Support Service not only provides services and activities, but supports individuals to access activities already available in their own community.
As well as the centre-based service, a local outreach support network has been developed. There are currently 11 outreach groups operating in community locations around West Lothian supported by staff from the Support Service.
The emphasis is on including people in their own community.
This is achieved by working with individuals to build their confidence and self esteem and then supporting their participation into education, sports, leisure, cultural, employment and other opportunities in their own community.
Links have been developed and strengthened with West Lothian College. These links have enabled the creation of specific supported courses of study for adults with a physical disability in West Lothian.
A learning centre has been established in the Ability Centre and in a joint initiative with the college tutor time has been made available in the centre two mornings per week. This opportunity is open to anyone requiring a more supported environment to progress their computer learning.
How can I find out more?
By dropping in to the Ability Centre Café / Bistro for a cup of coffee and informal chat anytime between 9.30am and 3.00pm Monday to Friday.
By telephoning Marlyn Young
Support Services Manager on 01506 774066
Advice, information and support to clients and carers
Links to other services
The Service
The West Lothian Community Rehabilitation & Brain Injury Project is funded by Health and Social services. It provides assessment and rehabilitation for adults over the age of 16 years who are physically disabled or have suffered a brain injury.
The Service meet your needs
The team can address the following areas:
Activities of daily living
Mobility
Communication
Cognitive (i.e memory, problem solving)
Leisure and work
Independent living
Carers' concerns
Referral to other agencies (if appropriate)
What The Service do
The team carry out an assessment visit in your own home. A programme of intervention will be developed based on problems or needs identified in the assessment.
This may involve:
A short period of rehabilitation based on goals
Advice and information
Referral to other agencies as appropriate
The Team
Community Rehabilitation Practitioner
Project Leaders
Occupational Therapists
Physiotherapists
Speech and Language Therapists
Clinical Psychologists
Rehabilitation Assistants
Clerical Assistant
Who can refer
Any health or social work professional. Contact your G.P., Social worker, or Therapist. For any further information, please contact:
