A care company has moved to Barnsley and opened a new day centre to help young adults with disabilities live independent and fulfilling lives.
Bridge Medical Solutions provides care and support for adults with physical or learning disabilities, neurological disorders or acquired brain injuries.
Formerly based in Rotherham, it has moved to Redbrook Business Park, creating a new office and suite of recreation, education and therapy rooms called The Bridge.
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The care company has been helping people of all ages live independently in their own homes and communities since 2012, but this is the first time it has opened a day centre.
The new facility is particularly focused on supporting young adults by providing a place to socialise, develop their skills and get involved in running things too.
A number of full-time paid care jobs and volunteer opportunities are also being created as part of the move, and the company is seeking new referrals to The Bridge from social care professionals, care organisations and families.
Founder and director Alison Little set up the care business after struggling to find good support for her son James who is on the autistic spectrum and had complex needs as a young man. Now aged 28, her son now works in the business looking after its HR work.
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She said: “We’ve only been open a couple of weeks and it is already a ‘happy place’. Our ethos is all about helping the people we support to follow their interests and reach their potential. We’re a family-run business and our staff, volunteers and clients are all part of that family. We’d love more people to join us.
“I remember the stress of trying to find good support for James. I felt isolated and frustrated that I couldn’t find the opportunities I knew would help him reach his potential.
“We want to reach out to more people and families in that position now. Our day unit is a positive space where young people can come to get out of their own homes, socialise and achieve whatever it is they want to achieve.”
One client at The Bridge is developing his skills as a DJ, another is pursuing her modelling ambitions and a third plays an active role in running the service in ‘meet and greet’ and administration roles.
South Yorkshire Police Service also regularly calls on the expertise of The Bridge’s service users to help officers understand better how to engage with people with physical or learning disabilities.
Ms Little, who previously worked in the prison service and women’s mental health services, said: “We want everyone who comes to the centre to feel comfortable, safe, confident and to go home feeling good about themselves.”
The company was assisted by Enterprising Barnsley, the business support arm of Barnsley Council which aims to help businesses across the borough develop and expand.
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