WEST Essex based disability charity Accuro (Care Services) are celebrating after being awarded £7,500 from Eastern Counties Educational Trust Ltd for their new Young Adult Life Skills project, ‘STRIDE’. 

STRIDE, standing for Skills, Togetherness, Relationships, Independence, Diversity and Equal Opportunities, is a six month programme for young adults aged 19-25 with a disability in West Essex. The project launched in Harlow in September 2021, with its second six month programme due to launch in Uttlesford in early 2022. 

The programme runs bi-weekly for six months at a time and aims to provide opportunities for young adults with disabilities to develop life skills essential for living a happy, healthy and more independent life. The project will cover topics such as healthy living, personal care, household tasks, how to keep safe, social and communication skills and much more.

Rebecca is 24 and has been attending Accuro services for many years. Her Mum Lesley recently told the charity, “Accuro gives Rebecca the chance to socialise, gain new experience and make new friends while giving us both a break.”

Coordinator of Adult Services at Accuro, Kerry Mattholie said, “The launch of STRIDE in Harlow has been fantastic. We are just three sessions in and can already see how much more confidence our members have and how friendships are blossoming. We can’t wait to launch the project in Uttlesford and are so completely grateful to have been given the opportunity to do so by our funders. Being fully funded means that the programme is completely accessible to all who are interested and in need of the service.”

To learn more about Accuro and their services, please visit www.accuro.org.uk