Bridgeton Learning Disability Service Celebrates Service Users’ Achievements at Certification Ceremony
Thursday, 24th June 2010: A group of service users who attend Workability, an employment and skills training service for people with learning disabilities, run by national not-for-profit organisation, Momentum, was today presented with certificates marking their achievements. The certification ceremony, which coincided with national Learning Disability Week (Mon 21 – Sun 27 June), took place at the White Studios, Templeton Business Centre in Bridgeton, where Momentum’s Workability service is based.
Twenty people received a range of accredited certificates, including the Royal Environmental Health Institute for Scotland’s Elementary Food Hygiene Certificate and the Scottish Qualifications Authority Induction Module. Recent figures show that approximately 95 per cent of people who complete Momentum’s Workability programme progress to employment or to further education and training.
Stephen Kidd, Manager of Momentum’s Workability service, said, “This is a day to celebrate the successes of our service users and these certificates are a testament to their hard work and commitment. It’s great to see them now reaping the benefits of their learning, either in employment, work placements, or further education and training. All of the staff here at Momentum Workability congratulate them and are proud of their achievements.”
The Bridgeton-based programme currently caters for approximately 25 people from the town and surrounding areas, providing both vocational qualifications and training. The courses are specifically designed to enable people with learning disabilities to learn the skills that they need to gain jobs and to lead more independent lives. Elements covered include CV development and interview techniques, job search skills, and Information Technology. Training is combined with hands-on experience in the workplace through work placements with local employers.
A range of educational opportunities are also provided either as part of the Workability programme or at college, supported at all stages by staff. Those accessing Workability can study for a wide range of qualifications, including those awarded by City & Guilds and the Scottish Qualifications Authority, ensuring the same opportunities as those available in mainstream training and education.
The service works in collaboration with local employers across a range of areas including catering, retail, hairdressing, gardening and care. The support of these employers, and the variety of training offered to service users by Momentum, is crucial to the success of the many work experience and job placements organised by the service.
Service users, both past and present, and their families and friends, were in attendance at the event, as well as representatives from Social Work and Job Centre Plus. Following the presentation of certificates, guests enjoyed a buffet lunch and refreshments, and had the opportunity to mingle with service users and staff from the centre.
For more information, see www.momentumscotland.org
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Notes for Editor
About Momentum
Momentum is a national not-for-profit organisation which assists more than 2,000 disabled and socially-excluded people to identify and achieve their life goals, each year.
Momentum runs a range of programmes in the areas of brain injury, spinal injury, mental health, physical disability, learning disability, employment, care and supported living, social enterprise and community rehabilitation.
Momentum’s programmes for people with learning disabilities are designed to assist people in achieving their potential by helping them to develop independent living skills and supporting them to move towards employment, education and training.
Momentum is part of the leading international non-profit organisation, the Rehab Group.
For further information, contact:
Stephen Kidd, Momentum Workability, Bridgeton, Tel: 0141 554 8822/Email: stephen.kidd@momentumscotland.org
Laura Delaney, Momentum Communications and Public Affairs, Tel: 0141 419 5280/Email: laura.delaney@momentumscotland.org