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A £280k grant will help us live life to the fullest

Kayleigh BarkerWitney
News imageBBC Ten people stand in the corner of a white room with a cut out of a yellow submarine behind them. From left to right, stands a young man who is a member of the group wearing a black hoodie, holding a black tablet which helps him communicate. He has dark brown hair and wears glasses. Next is a woman with grey hair who wears a pale blue puffer coat. The lady next to her has dark brown hair with a red t-shirt on, she works for the charity. There is then two young men, one wearing a grey hoodie and the other an orange t-shirt. There is then another member of the charity. He stands in the back corner and has grey hair. He wears a staff hoodie with the words 'we can' on. There is then a tall young man wearing a grey hoodie and black framed glasses. At the front of the picture is a young woman and two young men- all wearing navy blue and smiling at the camera.BBC
The charity run Reach sessions for young adults, teaching independence

A charity that helps young people and adults with learning disabilities and autism says a £280,000 National Lottery grant will help its users "live life to their fullest".

Yellow Submarine in Oxfordshire has been supporting the community for 16 years, delivering activities and residential stays that reduce isolation and give families and carers respite.

The charity will receive the money over three years to support existing programmes including its weekly activities and holidays.

It says "the grant comes at a crucial time," as it will allow it to meet growing demand for services.

Activity manager Beth Simpson, who runs Reach group session for young adults at the charity, says: "For those who are over 18, Reach focuses on independence, life skills and developing practical skills that our members can use for the future.

"At the moment our group is focusing on well being, so we've done yoga, Zumba, wellness walks and mindfulness.

"Now we're doing a session on healthy eating which focuses on cooking and budgeting skills, so hopefully enabling our members to go and use these skills in the future."

News imageTwo young men are cutting tomatoes for a pasta salad. Reece is actively cutting and Connor is sat in front of a plate of cut tomatoes smiling. Reece is wearing a light grey jumper with a big white nike tick on the front. Connor wears a dark blue t-shirt. Sheila is a volunteer and wears a red t-shirt with a submarine on it, she is holding an orange knife.
Reece Winstone and Connor Gavin (L-R) worked with volunteer Sheila Smith to learn how to make a healthy meal

Reece Winstone has been attending the sessions for a year and says: "It's helped me to learn certain skills, I think it's given me more confidence. I now cook my own dinner at home which means I'm not reliant on my family anymore."

James Simister has a learning disability and autism. He says the Reach sessions help him create "a better future".

After learning about budgeting he says: "It wasn't all that bad, I wouldn't mind giving it a shot."

Rachael Blakey, who looks after the charity's adult programmes, says the work Yellow Submarine does allows members "to live life to their fullest".

She says the money will allow it to continue vital work: "Being able to offer families respite, knowing their young people are having fun and are safe.

"Having this extra money means we can do more which is brilliant."

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