Antrim Gateway Club

Public benefits

The benefits of Antrim Gateway Club involve people with a learning disability having the opportunity to have friendships and relationships in their local community. It is a leisure opportunity and member led; members decide which activities they would like to do in the club. The benefits of the club are demonstrated through verbal feedback from

people in the community, parents, volunteers and the members themselves. The members thoroughly enjoy attending the leisure opportunity on a bi- weekly basis. The provision of recreation activities allows for increased social opportunities for our members with the aim of increasing their life skills and social lives leading to an increased capacity for independent living. This is evidenced by feedback from members and family and Mencap as required. For our parents/carers we offer vital respite provision as well as a support network linking them to the wider Mencap organisation and other local organisations There is no harm or potential harm that can be resulted by the club operating on a weekly basis. The club is aimed specifically for adults with a learning disability. Many adults with a learning disability can often feel isolated in their local community and Antrim Gateway tackles this issue and promotes friendships. The volunteers at the club receive private benefit in the form of training to ensure they are equipped to fulfil their role and they also gain experience which they can use to apply for jobs and to gain community fulfilment.

What your organisation does

The Group is established to promote Social Actives for Young People aged 18 to 65+years who have a learning disability, by providing social outings and activities which encourages social interaction and independence, without distinction of gender, sexual orientation, disability/ability, race, political, religious or other opinion