Lochaber to host Highland transition event for young people
The Highland Council and Skills Development Scotland have organised a Transition Fair in Lochaber which will promote the services and opportunities which are available for young people with additional support needs when they leave school.
This event, which takes place at the Nevis Hotel in Fort William on 12 November, follows on from a similar day held in Inverness which proved to be very successful and helpful to everyone who attended.
The Council’s Social Work and Education, Culture and Sport Services have worked with Skills Development Scotland to putt together the programme for the day. Representatives from over 30 organisations including Cross Roads, the Shirlie Project, Lochaber Hope, Lochaber Action on Disability, Eden Court Theatre, the National Autistic Society and Enable will have stalls providing leaflets and advice to everyone coming along.
Marea Foulis, Transition Co-ordinator with The Highland Council said: “Over the past two years Drummond School in Inverness has hosted a Transition Fair led and organised by Principal Teacher Helen Bull, Skills Development Scotland and myself. This event has provided a great opportunity for meeting and information sharing and highlights to everyone involved just how beneficial it is to bring together young people, their families, local groups and organisations and agencies providing services and opportunities. We chose to host the Fair in Lochaber to afford an ideal chance for anyone with any questions to speak face to face with people who can help and provide answers.”
The Fair builds on the More Choices More Chances strategy in Highland to afford young people with additional support needs the opportunity to gain first hand information about suitable high quality experiences and opportunities post school and therefore enable them to plan and make connections to services and agencies.
Chairman of the Housing and Social Work Committee, Councillor Margaret Davidson said: “Moving on from school can be a bewildering time for anyone. There are agencies and organisation who specially tailor their services to assist young people with additional support needs. It is important that these young people have the right opportunities to continue learning, develop new skills and live their lives to their full potential. The Transition Fair is a great way of bringing everyone together and making the big step forward from leaving school less daunting. Organising such an event is a lot of work so I would like to thank all the people involved and I am sure it will be a great success.”
Ian Carse, Skills Development Scotland Area Manager said: “Giving young people and their parents the chance to speak directly to those offering post-school opportunities is a great way of helping them decide what is appropriate for them, as individuals. Although careers information is becoming increasingly available through information technology it is still important that people can meet face-to-face with advisers if that meets their needs. We don’t believe in one-size fits-all solutions. Skills Development Scotland is an agency committed to empowering individuals, so that they can take control over the key decisions affecting their lives.”
The Transition Fair starts at 11am and will run until 4pm. Places do not need to be booked in advance and everyone is welcome to come along. For further information please contact marea.foulis@highland.gov.uk