Journey Enterprises
Chosen by the House of Lords as one of fifteen organisations nationally delivering best practice, Journey Enterprises is a small regional charity which supports people with a learning disability across the north east.
We work with adults with conditions such as Down's Syndrome, cerebral palsy, Williams Syndrome, Prader Willi, Fragile X and Sotos. We also support Clients with autism. Our Clients are aged from 18 – 80+.
We offer training in life and work skills to enable local people with learning disabilities to lead active, inclusive and fulfilling lives. Whether you are living at home with family, independently or in supported living, we can design a programme for you.
How we work:
Clients work in small groups with our specialist Learning Disability Support Workers. We are also able to offer 1:1 and specialist support for challenging behaviours and more complex needs.
Our activities are undertaken at our day centres (Hubs) and in the local community. We work on a Positive Behaviour and person-centred approach.
Our busy activities programme includes:
- arts and crafts
- catering and sugarcraft
- community navigation
- community service
- day trips
- digital and financial inclusion
- drama and puppetry
- DIY and woodwork
- employability
- enterprise
- film and photography
- gardening
- health & wellbeing
- IT
- men's group
- music
- science and nature
- shopping & local services
- social events
- sports and exercise
- travel training
- walking and outdoors
- women's group
- Employability and Enterprise
Training for work is a very popular Client choice. We work with a wide range of local employers, job centres and voluntary sector organisations to help Clients find work to match their skills and interests. 63% of Clients taking part in work training programmes successfully moved in to paid part-time work or volunteering.
Starting their training in our own social enterprises Clients are able to train and provide a service to the public. Our social enterprises include arts & crafts, community kitchens, horticulture, markets woodwork, upcycling.
Where we work:
We support anyone living in Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, Darlington and Durham who has a learning disability.
Journey’s Hubs are:
Blyth (Northumberland)
Hexham (Acomb, Northumberland)
Bishop Auckland (Coundon, County Durham)
Newcastle (Tyne & Wear)
Some activities may incur additional charges to cover costs e.g. sessional tutors/coaches, specialist equipment.
Transportation
Transport is offered subject to place and route availability. Transport charges are £0.45/mile with reductions for Clients attending for 3 or more days weekly.
We encourage Clients to travel independently where possible. We can offer travel training for Clients. Information and advice is provided in our Transportation Guide 2023.
Meals/Refreshments
Low cost meals/refreshments are available at all Journey sites.
All our sites offer a lighter lunch-time cafe option. Clients will be able to choose from a healthier range of options, priced according to the options selected.
Safeguarding & Quality
Safeguarding people with learning disability is at the heart of our services.
Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is Maggie Leadbeater, Operations Manager.
All Staff are trained in Safeguarding Adults and must undertake refresher training every three years. We have a Safer Recruitment Policy which ensures all Staff, employees, students and volunteers, have an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check and a full employment history and qualifications check prior to commencing work at Journey. We also require a minimum of two professional references and references from all former employment where applicants have previously worked with children/young people or vulnerable adults.
The Charity holds IIP, BILD, Better Health at Work and Disability Confident quality marks. We are a member of the National Leaders Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
When is it on?
- Time of day
-
Morning
Afternoon - Session information
-
9.30am - 3.00pm
Who to contact
- Contact name
- Gemma Sowerby
- Contact position
- Hub Manager
- Telephone
-
01388 612 161 ext 261
- gemma.sowerby@journeyenterprises.co.uk
- Website
- Journey Enterprises
Where to go
- Address
-
13 Tees Walk
Coundon
Bishop Auckland
County Durham - Postcode
- DL14 8JZ
Other details
- Cost description
- Group Day Service: £42.34 per day
1:1 Support: £16.21 per hour
Specialist Support: £65.90 per day - Referral required?
- Yes
- Referral and availability notes
Referrals through Care Managers or other professional working with the family, or self-referral.
Currently taking referrals at our Coundon Hub.
- Age range
-
Over 18 years
Local Offer
- Local Offer description
Journey has a Staff Team of 28 based across four sites in the north east region. It is governed by a Board of Directors who bring relevant lived and professional expertise to the Board.
The Charity is led by a Chief Executive Officer and Operations Manager/Designated Safeguardling Lead. Direct services are managed in locality by Hub Managers. Business Services are led by a Business Support Manager. We contract out our Finance Manager and administrative roles to the Counting House North East respectively.
Hub Services are lead by qualified Health & Social Care Level 5/6 Managers. Operations are managed by a L7 Registered Manager.
Learning Disability Support Workers must hold a minimum NVQ2/3 in Health & Social Care. Staff receive enhanced training in Positive Behaviour Support and Active Support methodology.
The Charity regularly provides practice-based placement opportunities for undergraduates and graduates in health and medicine, social work and education.
Main Training
· Introduction to Journey (values, mission, strategic priorities, structure, services)
· Safeguarding Adults (refreshed three yearly)
· Equality & Diversity
· First Aid
· Health & Safety
· Risk Assessments
· GDPR
· CRM
· Disability Benefits and Care Support Packages
· Easy Read Training
· Confidentiality
· Handling Complaints and Compliments
· Deprivation of Liberty Standards
· Medication Training (Client-facing roles)
· Infection Control (Client-facing roles)
· Mental Capacity Act (Client-facing roles)
· Moving & Handling (Client-facing roles)
· Positive Behaviour Support & Active Support (Client-facing roles)
· NVQs & professional licensing relevant to roles
· Care certificate (Client-facing roles)
· MiDAS
· Care Act (Middle Managers)
· Carers Awareness Training (Middle Managers)
· Community Fundraising & Fundraising Code of Practice (Managers)
· Disability Awareness Training (Middle Managers)
· WRAP & Mental Health in the Workplace (Middle Managers)
· Finance for Managers (Middle Managers)
· Support, Supervision & Appraisal (Middle Managers)
· Managing Performance (Middle Managers)
· Disciplinaries and grievances (Middle Managers)
· IOSHH (Middle Managers)
· IOSHH for Directors/Executives (Senior Managers)
· Managing Projects & Reporting (Middle Managers)
· Managing Volunteers (Middle Managers and Volunteering Lead)
- Contact name
- Maggie Leadbeater, Operations Manager
- Contact telephone
- 01434 724 036
- Contact email
- maggie.leadbeater@journeyenterprises.co.uk
Durham County Council's Families Information Service does not promote nor endorse the services advertised on this website. Anyone seeking to use/access such services does so at their own risk and may make all appropriate enquiries about fitness for purpose and suitability to meet their needs.
Useful documents
Journey planner
Address: 13 Tees Walk Coundon Bishop Auckland County Durham