Youth centre keeps Lucy active and well

REWARDING: Donna Falloon says attending a Masterton's IDEA Services Youth Centre is helping her intellectually disabled daughter, Lucy, to be more independent and active. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

Leaving the structure and support of the classroom can be tough for intellectually disabled young people, but a Masterton service is helping to show them life after school can be even more rewarding.

For Lucy Falloon and 13 other young people that attend Masterton's IDEA Services Youth Centre, every day is filled with activities, challenges and friendship.

The centre facilitates a range of activities such as swimming, tenpin bowling, art and rugby for young people with intellectual disabilities.

Miss Falloon, 22, who has cerebral palsy and uses sign language to communicate, attends the youth centre five days a week.

Her mother, Donna, said the centre filled the gap left when Lucy left Makoura College.

"When that finished it was huge for her, and it was a real panic because what was I going to do - she loved school so much and all of a sudden it's taken out from underneath them and there's nothing to replace it."

Attending the centre was helping to improve her daughter's quality of life, Mrs Falloon said.

"It's really good because before I just felt she wasn't getting enough stimulation and wasn't getting out in the community. Now with this, she's actually out in the community - they go out every day. She looks forward to it and talks about the teachers all the time."

The youth centre gave Lucy the chance to experience new things every day, rather than just staying at home and playing on the computer or watching television, Mrs Falloon said.

"It's given her something to do. It's really good because they are not just sitting there filling their day with monotony. It's made her a lot more independent. They have expectations, whereas at home I'll make her sandwiches or brush her teeth ... I think it just widens her world."

Lucy seemed much happier since she started attending the centre, Mrs Falloon said.

The centre, which opened last June, is operated by two full-time community support workers, Pernille Booth and Melanie Deacon. Mrs Booth said just like any young person, those with intellectual disabilities had more energy and it was important to offer activities specific to them.

"Having the youth centre means you can do active things, it's trying not to stop them participating, giving them the freedom to work to their strengths and building them up as individuals."

The centre offers services to those who meet IDEA Services criteria and are aged between about 20 and 30 years old.

IDEA Services is part of IHC, and their annual appeal runs until the end of February. To donate visit: https://secure.flo2cash.co.nz/donations/ihc/donate.aspx or call 0800 442 442.