Access to Citizenship

Helping people with learning disabilities to become independent...

Access to Citizenship, which is run by community organisation Destined, works with people with learning disabilities in North West Northern Ireland, to enable them to play a full part in society. They offer further education options, advice and training to find employment, as well as personal and social development courses.

35 year old Michael Cole (pictured, centre) has been coming to Destined for many years. Michael has learning difficulties, and currently lives with his mother in Derry, but he intends to develop the skills to live independently. Michael explains:

'My childhood was good. It was full of good times and relatively happy memories. My parents got divorced when I was about four years old. But I got on well with my mum most of the time.

'When I was growing up I didn't really like the idea of going to a special school. I just wanted to be like everyone else and go to a mainstream school.'

While a teenager, Michael spent two years at a boarding school, which he enjoyed. But he found being away from home for five days a week too much and persuaded his mother to move him back to his old school.

During his schooldays, there were times that Michael felt excluded and isolated. 'I got into trouble' says Michael; 'mostly because of other people calling me names or saying 'You go to that school because you are stupid'. I was very frustrated and angry. Sometimes I wanted to hit out, and sometimes I did.'

A very articulate young man, Michael left school without any formal qualifications and finds it difficult to get full-time employment. But he has done several courses in literacy and numeracy since then, and would now like to pursue a career in administration.

Michael's involvement in Destined has, he says, been extremely beneficial for his confidence:

'When I was at school I didn't want to believe I had a disability. But at that age you don't. As the years progressed I accepted it. I realised it was nothing to be ashamed of. Since I came to Destined I have got a lot more confident and a lot more accepting of my disability.

'Before Destined I would have been lonely a lot. Destined has made a significant difference to my life. I am getting out a lot more, doing more things and going to more places. I have even delivered speeches in the City Hotel and at the Guildhall, which I wrote myself. I would go out with Destined members from time to time. I don't drink except on very special occasions, but I like to go out for the craic.'

Through Destined, Michael has taken part in the Access to Citizenship programme, which aims to empower adults with learning disabilities. 'I live with my mum' he says; 'but one of my three goals under the programme is to become confident enough to live on my own. I am going to be doing courses to help me with cooking and so on. I can't cook now but I can do the basics - beans and toast and eggs. I can do most of the domestic stuff as well; I just need to learn how to use a washing machine.'

A football nut, Michael spends a lot of free time following his beloved Liverpool. He also likes listening to music, reading and watching TV. He believes that support for people with learning disabilities is improving - but still isn't perfect:

'People understand more. There are still some people out there that will never be educated and probably don't want to be. There's still the odd young person who would shout something at me. But if you don't respond to them, it's not giving them a laugh. That's the way I see it.'

To view a video of Access to Citizenship in action, click here.

To vote for Access to Citizenship in The National Lottery Awards, click here or call 0844 686 1992.

Click here to visit the NLA Health Project finalists homepage on iVillage.