Life skills are a set of essential abilities that enable individuals to effectively manage and navigate daily life, interact with others, and cope with challenges.  Our Life Skills programmes provide support to individuals of all ages who are living with diverse support needs in an individualised and person-centred way. The Life Skills Coordinator will work closely with the participants’ care team to support the individual to continue to work towards their personal goals.

Under the supervision of our Life Skills Coordinator, individuals with diverse support needs practice valuable skills needed for everyday life; the skills that we often take for granted. We work with a broad range of needs and abilities and develop goals based on each person’s unique interests. Our primary aim is to engage our participants in WindReach’s vibrant community and assist them with functional life skills that will promote engagement in the larger community here on island. We have a range of activities and resources on the property such as our community gardens, animal zone, kitchens, and stables.

Participants in our various programmes may come to WindReach as a group or as an individual. We do require all participants to attend with their support worker(s)

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING 
IN THE LIFE SKILLS PROGRAMME?

School Age Outcomes:

  • Challenge touch, auditory, visual and smell defensiveness in a motivating environment without overloading
  • Improved concentration and time on task
  • Improved social and communication skills
  • Development of gross and fine motor skills

Young Adult Outcomes:

  • Improved time management and decision making
  • Improved emotional regulation, social skills and self-esteem
  • Work related skills
  • Increase functional life skills

Adults and Seniors Outcomes:

  • Increase participation in meaningful activities
  • Increase emotional well being
  • Improved physical fitness
  • Increased meaningful engagement with peers
  • Improved gross and fine motor skills

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Bermuda Autism Support and Education (B.A.S.E.) for their generous financial support for the continued development of our Sensory Room. We are very proud of the multi-sensory equipment, and experiences, that we are able to offer thanks to their outstanding support and encouragement.

C.R.E.W. (CREATING REAL EXPERIENCES AT WINDREACH)

The CREW (Creating Real Experiences WindReach) programme is for adults with diverse support needs over the age of 18. Our CREW sessions focus on enhancing the social lives of our adult participants, providing opportunities for connection, personal growth, and involvement in meaningful activities.  We come together regularly to engage in social activities, to share and develop common interests, and build connections with each other. The CREW sessions often incorporate activities such as cooking/baking, scavenger hunts, art & crafts, gardening, animal interactions, movement games, and much more

C.R.E.W Outcomes

  • To explore a variety of leisure activities
  • To develop social and communication skills
  • To explore and develop relationships with others
  • To explore and develop interest and skills development
  • To increase meaningful engagement with peers

Work Skills Programme

    Our Work Skills Programme is designed to provide adults with diverse support needs opportunities to develop job skills. Under the supervision of our Life Skills Coordinator and all our WindReach staff, we will provide training and modelling of job tasks around the property.

    Our aim with our Work Skills Programme is to provide personalized support and training that equips our adults with diverse support needs with the necessary skills to achieve their full potential in the workplace.  Our WindReach property offers many opportunities to give back to the community, gain new skills, develop current skills, and experience enhanced social inclusion and opportunities for personal growth. This, in turn, fosters a culture of continuous personal improvement and professional growth.

    LONG TERM JOB PLACEMENT PROGRAMME

    For those that are interested and that qualify, we have a limited number of paid long-term work placement opportunities.

    The primary goal of the Long-Term Job Placement Programme is to help our adult participants secure and maintain stable, rewarding employment at WindReach that aligns with their skills and interests. The programme focuses on equipping individuals with the necessary tools and support to achieve job stability and skills progression. The goal is to help our adults with diverse support needs to fully engage with the opportunities provided and achieve their long-term goals.

    Our long-term placement programme includes a skills assessment to identify the participant’s strengths, areas for development, and specific support needs. Consideration will be given for an individual’s learning styles and needs. Employees will be provided regular check in and feedback sessions to assess progress and adjust training methods as needed.

    The duration of the long-term placement is flexible, with timelines adapted to meet the pace and progress of each participant. For those participants seeking employment beyond their time at WindReach, support with applications, resume writing, and interview skills will be included to give them the best chance of securing their desired outside job positions.

    Work Skills Outcomes

    • Provide safe work opportunities
    • Facilitate work skills development
    • Provide opportunities to explore building on personal goals
    • Provide individualised job learning opportunities

    Life Skills Student Programme

    Our Life Skills Student Programmes are designed to equip students with essential skills that are crucial for navigating daily life, beyond academic knowledge. Our student programmes focus on practical abilities that can help students lead independent and successful lives. In addition, our aim is to work with school teams to incorporate each student’s IEP goals and overall learning objectives into our lessons while at WindReach.  Bringing their goals to life both inside and outside the classroom help to positively reinforce the learning for the students. Our life skills activities help students work on a wide range of learning objectives, from health and wellness to communication and relationship skills.

    Life Skills Student Programme Outcomes

    • Challenge touch, auditory, visual and smell defensiveness in a motivating environment without overloading
    • Improved concentration and time on task
    • Improved social and communication skills
    • Development of gross and fine motor skills