Diverse Abilities, Dorset’s Disability Charity, now offers transitions care and support for young people with physical and learning disabilities up to the age of 30, as they go from children’s services up to adult services. 

The disability charity is increasing the age range for it’s Shapes Transitions service from 18-25 to 18-30 years old.  The day service provides care at Lily’s Place for children and young adults with profound physical and learning disabilities, where facilities include fully equipped bathrooms, rooms with hoists and specialist equipment, sensory room, garden and specialist switch toys to aid communication. 

This is a time for young people to slowly make the transition from children’s to adults services, which can be a particularly difficult time when young people and their families have to navigate leaving school, changing day services and meeting new doctors and consultants. Being surrounded by people they know through this process makes all the difference. 

Hannah Coakley, Children’s Team Manager at Diverse Abilities commented: “It’s been great to be able to increase the age of our Shapes Transitions service, as some young people take longer to make this transition whether it’s because they take longer to get used to change, or whether their care is so complex that it takes longer to be able to hand this over. The great thing about Diverse Abilities is that we support people all through their lives, and so these young people can choose to move on to our adult services, either at The Beehive our therapy and activity centre or our Supported Living service when they are ready.” 

Find out more and get in touch by visiting diverseabilities.org.uk/transitions-lawford-lodge.