QEF – Supporting Beyond Boundaries Live
Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation has been providing solutions to the needs of adults with complex disabilities for over 70 years. It shares a similar ethos with Beyond Boundaries Live – that life is about opportunity and a ‘can do’ attitude focusing on ability rather than disability.
Two of our Centres will be representing the Foundation at the Exhibition on Stand D254.
Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation Development Centre in Leatherhead, Surrey works with young adults who have complex disabilities. Most clients come directly from home or specialist college and at the Centre learn to take an increased level of responsibility in many areas of everyday living such as money management, shopping, cooking and planning a social life.
A variety of accommodation is available for clients to trial before making that all important decision as to how they wish to live in the wider community. Always popular are the fifteen, self contained training flats and the Centre has recently added a group accommodation unit where six adults may share the living areas provide clients with the opportunity to experience at first hand what it would be like to live in the community while still having the support of on-site staff if needed to offer help and advice.
Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation Training College, also in Leatherhead, provides disabled people from across the UK with vocational training leading to technical, commercial or trade employment opportunities. The residential College is set in extensive grounds in Leatherhead, Surrey offering a diverse range of courses including Building & Property Maintenance, Carpentry & Joinery, Painting & Decorating, Office Administration, Media Techniques, Travel Services and Horticulture. The vocational training departments do not resemble classrooms, instead they are as similar to the workplace as possible, providing a realistic environment in which trainees can learn new skills under the expert guidance of our dedicated instructors.
Trainees often arrive at the College following years of uncertainty and disillusionment, demonstrating extremely low levels of confidence and self-esteem. Equal, if not more, emphasis is placed upon tackling this more subtle need. The level and direction of support required will vary and staff work very closely with each trainee to identify and plan a development programme to provide personalised training and opportunities.
Accredited by Matrix, the College boasts a success rate above that of most mainstream colleges with trainees achieving recognised qualifications leading to sustainable employment.
Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation operates five specialist centres focusing on brain injury rehabilitation, vocational training, the development of life skills, mobility and recreational activities. Each centre has the common aim of helping clients to maximise their potential and achieve greater independence to follow the lifestyle of their choice.
For press information, please contact Caroline Barratt, Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation, Leatherhead Court, Woodlands Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 0BN. Email: caroline.barratt@qef.org.uk Tel: 01372 841129. Registered Charity No. 251051.
