Chosen by the House of Lords as one of fifteen organisations nationally delivering best practice, Journey Enterprises is a small regional charity which supports people with a learning disability across the north east.

We work with adults with conditions such as Down's Syndrome, cerebral palsy, Williams Syndrome, Prader Willi, Fragile X and Sotos. We also support Clients with autism. Our Clients are aged from 18 – 80+.

We offer training in life and work skills to enable local people with learning disabilities to lead active, inclusive and fulfilling lives. Whether you are living at home with family, independently or in supported living, we can design a programme for you.

How we work:

Clients work in small groups with our specialist Learning Disability Support Workers. We are also able to offer 1:1 and specialist support for challenging behaviours and more complex needs.

Our activities are undertaken at our day centres (Hubs) and in the local community. We work on a Positive Behaviour and person-centred approach.

Our busy activities programme includes:

• arts and crafts
• catering and sugarcraft
• community navigation
• community service
• day trips
• digital and financial inclusion
• drama and puppetry
• DIY and woodwork
• employability
• enterprise
• film and photography
• gardening
• health & wellbeing
• IT
• men's group
• music
• science and nature
• shopping & local services
• social events
• sports and exercise
• travel training
• walking and outdoors
• women's group
• Employability and Enterprise

Training for work is a very popular Client choice. We work with a wide range of local employers, job centres and voluntary sector organisations to help Clients find work to match their skills and interests. 63% of Clients taking part in work training programmes successfully moved in to paid part-time work or volunteering.

Starting their training in our own social enterprises Clients are able to train and provide a service to the public. Our social enterprises include arts & crafts, community kitchens, horticulture, markets woodwork, upcycling.

Where we work:

We support anyone living in Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, Darlington and Durham who has a learning disability.

Journey’s Hubs are:

Blyth (Northumberland)
Hexham (Acomb, Northumberland)
Bishop Auckland (Coundon, County Durham)
Newcastle (Tyne & Wear)

Some activities may incur additional charges to cover costs e.g. sessional tutors/coaches, specialist equipment.

Transportation

Transport is offered subject to place and route availability. Transport charges are £0.45/mile with reductions for Clients attending for 3 or more days weekly.

We encourage Clients to travel independently where possible. We can offer travel training for Clients. Information and advice is provided in our Transportation Guide 2023.

Meals/Refreshments

Low cost meals/refreshments are available at all Journey sites.

All our sites offer a lighter lunch-time cafe option. Clients will be able to choose from a healthier range of options, priced according to the options selected.

Safeguarding & Quality

Safeguarding people with learning disability is at the heart of our services.

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is Maggie Leadbeater, Operations Manager.

All Staff are trained in Safeguarding Adults and must undertake refresher training every three years. We have a Safer Recruitment Policy which ensures all Staff, employees, students and volunteers, have an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check and a full employment history and qualifications check prior to commencing work at Journey. We also require a minimum of two professional references and references from all former employment where applicants have previously worked with children/young people or vulnerable adults.

The Charity holds IIP, BILD, Better Health at Work and Disability Confident quality marks. We are a member of the National Leaders Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.