Every activity at our day centre is planned so that each individual is learning, practicing and enjoying skills they can use in everyday life. Sessions are adapted for each person’s interests and support needs.

 

Independent Living Skills:

• Cooking & food preparation: Basic recipes, safe use of equipment, kitchen hygiene, meal planning, nutrition awareness, budgeting for meals.

• Shopping skills: Making shopping lists, comparing prices, understanding money, using self‑checkouts, speaking with shop staff.

• Domestic skills: Laundry and ironing, cleaning tasks, room organisation and decluttering, recycling and safe waste disposal.

• Personal self‑care: Daily hygiene routines, dressing appropriately, dental care awareness, developing healthy lifestyle habits.

• Time management: Using visual timetables, daily schedules, calendars, clocks and reminder systems.

• Travel training: Road safety, recognising buses, using public transport, planning routes and navigating the local community (where appropriate).

Communication & Social Development:

• Makaton conversations and signing workshops.

• PECS and symbol‑based activities.

• Social stories to support understanding of routines, change and new experiences

• Group communication games and structured discussions.

• Role‑play and scenarios (e.g. ordering in a café, asking for help, dealing with problems).

• Speech clarity and confidence‑building exercises.

• Understanding emotions workshops.

• Friendship‑building and turn‑taking activities.

• Team‑building tasks and sharing activities.

• Learning about personal boundaries, social rules and community behaviour.

Sensory Regulation & Emotional Wellbeing:

• Sensory circuits (balance boards, resistance bands and movement tasks).

• Aromatherapy and relaxation (safe scents, gentle lighting and calming music).

• Movement‑based regulation (stretching, yoga‑inspired movement, rhythmic activities).

• Mindfulness and breathing exercises.

• Relaxation sessions and quiet spaces.

• Coping strategies for anxiety and managing stress.

• Gratitude and reflection activities, including simple journals.

• Learning to recognise feelings and emotional triggers.

Creativity, Recreation & Leisure:

• Art and craft (painting, drawing, collage, jewellery making, clay, pottery, textiles).

• Seasonal and themed projects (festivals, celebrations, decorations).

• Drama, roleplay and storytelling workshops.

• Music and rhythm groups (simple instruments).

• Dance, movement and expressive arts.

• Board games, puzzles and bingo.

• Table‑top games and problem‑solving activities.

• Film afternoons and media discussions.

• Relaxation time with books and quiet activities.

• Sports and outdoor activities (weather‑dependent).

• Gardening projects and nature exploration.

Health, Fitness & Wellbeing:

• Walking in the local area.

• Light fitness sessions and stretching.

• Chair‑based exercise and balance/coordination games.

• Outdoor games when suitable.

• Nutrition education and healthy eating sessions.

• Hydration awareness and building good routines.

• Workshops on hygiene and self‑care.

• Understanding personal health routines and appointments.

Community Participation & Inclusion:

• Café and restaurant visits.

• Shopping trips to supermarkets, high streets and markets.

• Library, museum and gallery outings.

• Local events and festivals.

• Supported volunteering opportunities (where appropriate).

• Leisure centre visits (e.g. swimming, low‑impact sports, fitness sessions).

• Park trips and outdoor exploration.

Educational & Personal Development:

• Basic literacy and numeracy activities.

• Digital skills and safe use of technology.

• Financial literacy (understanding money, bills, basic budgeting).

• Understanding public services.

• Problem‑solving tasks and quizzes.

• Life skills workshops (e.g. using the telephone, filling in forms).

• Goal‑setting and planning sessions.

• Building responsibility, routine and self‑advocacy.

• Exploring identity, strengths, interests and future aspirations.

SEND Transition Support:

• Adult life skills programmes tailored to school / college leavers.

• Social integration and building new adult routines.

• Continued communication development in real‑world settings.

• Travel training and navigating adult services.

• Exploring strengths, interests and future goals (including volunteering or education).

• Friendship and social network building beyond school.