Earlier this year, a group from our Learning Disability Day Opportunities service in Plymouth embarked on an unforgettable adventure to Porto, Portugal but the journey started long before they boarded the plane.
Recently, the group came back together for a special celebration event, giving everyone the chance to look back at their week in Porto, relive some of their favourite moments and celebrate another important achievement: completing an Entry Level 3 Award in Personal and Social Development.
Preparing for an adventure
Ahead of the trip, the group completed a 10-week course with On Course South West, designed to help them prepare for travelling abroad while developing valuable skills they could take into everyday life.
Speaking about what was covered in the course, Noel Mitchell, Tutor at On Course Southwest said, “Over the 10 weeks, we covered a range of life skills, such as budgeting, foreign money management and how to pack your suitcase. As well as social skills such as what to expect in the airport, and any shop, lift or tram once we’re in Porto.”
Travelling to another country brought plenty of new challenges and opportunities. For some, it meant flying for the first time; for others, it was a chance to experience a different culture, try new foods and learn how to navigate unfamiliar surroundings.
Once in Porto, the group put their learning into action as they travelled around the city using metros, buses, boats, a cable car and even a funicular.
A week of unforgettable firsts
The packed itinerary saw the group explore Porto’s streets with a local walking guide, cruise along the Douro River, visit museums and historic landmarks, climb the 75-metre Clérigos Tower and spend time at the beach.
Beyond the sightseeing and fun, the trip gave everyone opportunities to practise communication, teamwork, decision-making and independence in a completely new environment.
Celebrating together back in Plymouth
The recent celebration event gave the group an opportunity to come together again and look back at everything they had achieved.
Watching videos from the trip brought back plenty of happy memories, but there was another important reason to celebrate. Every member of the group successfully completed their Entry Level 3 Award in Personal and Social Development and was presented with their certificate at the event.
The celebration was also an opportunity to recognise the partnership between Pluss and On Course South West.
Speaking about that partnership, Curriculum Lead at On Course Southwest, Lisa Grant says, “It means something different to all of them. It’s a very welcoming set up, the staff are phenomenal, and we just love the partnership we’ve got with Pluss and we’re going to continue to build it.”
You can click the link below to watch our highlights video from the day and hear from the team at On Course Southwest.
