I have supported a young girl to attend college for the past year and a half where together we have worked on her confidence, communication and education.
In the morning, I arrive at her house, and I have a chat with her and her mum. We then leave to walk to the bus stop. She will put her hand out for the driver to see us and then get us both on the bus with her C+ bus pass. Once we arrive at the college she will get the free breakfast that they provide then go to the computers before class starts. She loves to watch YouTube videos and independently use the printer to print off her favourite characters from shows.
Over the 3 days that she attends college, she has a variety of different classes, including woodwork, art, independent living skills, health and wellbeing and personal and social development. These classes have been key to her working on her confidence and also becoming independent with travelling to college and doing her work. She loves the independence of college and us giving her the space to make her own decisions.
When it is break time, she likes to speak about my little pony, winx club or watch videos on her phone. She is also very engaged when talking about anything that she is doing. When college is over, we get the bus back and walk back to the house. We speak to her mum about her day and let her know everything that happened.
By Abbie, Support Practitioner in Forth Valley