Young adults walk to independence

Young people from a Featherstone care centre will be able to walk their way to independence after teaming up with Wakefield Council's Travel Awareness Team.

The course will enable people aged 18 and over who are supported by Millennium Care Services to gain road safety skills - thereby giving them the confidence to get on the bus and head out alone. It is the first time the Council and the care service have joined together to provide specialist road safety training.

Millennium Care Services has been open for six years as a residential and supported living service, with an activity resource centre to help young people with learning disabilities aged 18 and over.

"Our service users really look forward to the road safety trainers coming as they have a manor of delivering the training that appeals to people with learning disabilities," activity organiser Maureen Waud said. "The young people come back glowing, and I think this is due to a sense of achievement and feeling healthy - and knowing they will soon be able to go out alone and feel safe crossing the road."

Wakefield's Travel Awareness Team is also giving pedestrian training to more than 80 schools across the Wakefield District.

For further information contact Joanne Ponsonby on 01924 306000, or JPonsonby@wakefield.gov.uk.