NEWS

beech avenue

Beech Avenue Guest House to Close

Independent Options, a local charity that provides support to people with a learning disability in Stockport, has announced the unfortunate closure of one of its respite guest houses in Gatley at the end of October 2017. Beech Avenue Guest House forms part of the charity’s Short Breaks service that provides respite breaks for adults with… Read more »

Support Worker

Ed Takes on Big Stockport Run 10k

Our Shared Lives Registered Manager, Ed, is taking on the Big Stockport Run in aid of Independent Options. Ed will be running the grueling 10k race, which makes its way around Stockport town from its starting point of St Petersgate on 17th September. While Ed is a seasoned pro at sports – he currently cycles… Read more »

Aukids

Oliver Stars in AuKids Magazine

 The lovely Oliver, who comes along to our Children and Family Centre, is the star of the latest edition of AuKids Magazine! We think the photo of Oliver and his fidget spinner is just fab, and can’t wait to get our hands on the mag to get reading! AuKids is an award-winning quarterly print magazine… Read more »

siblings climb on wall in sunshine

Eleanor 's Climbing to New Heights for Independent Options!

Eleanor is 10 years old and is taking on the Independent Options Climbing Challenge, which will see our intrepid climber scale a lofty 554ft – the equivalent to Manchester’s tallest building, Beetham Tower! Eleanor comes to Independent Options’ Children and Family Centre along with her brother, Jamie (4), and her sister, Poppy (6), who has… Read more »

How The Centre Helped Us: Sarah and Jacob's Story

Jacob is 7 and has autism and speech and language delays, he has been coming to the Children and Family Centre with his Mum, Sarah, for the past two years. Sarah explains why she found coming to the Centre helpful for both her and Jacob: “I discovered the Centre a couple of years ago before… Read more »

Anne and John: Our Shared Lives Story So Far

Anne and John are Shared Lives Carers with Independent Options, after transitioning from foster caring when they met Aaron. Here’s their story. “Aaron had been in foster care for ten years when he first came to us as a foster placement aged 14, having lived at 27 different addresses in that time. Straight away Aaron… Read more »

Life's a Beach! Jennie's Holiday

Jennie had a fantastic holiday in Anglesey, where she spent the week in the sunshine with her support worker, Sarah. When they arrived, the first thing Jennie wanted to do was to go to the Sea Zoo, where Jennie had the opportunity to do some colouring in and have a look at lots of fascinating… Read more »

Ben is Full of the Joys of Spring!

Ben was full of the joys of spring and recently took a trip to Etherow Park to feed the ducks! Ben has autism and ADHD, so he has a tendency to rush off, but Ben loved spending time at the pond. Ben had an information leaflet from the visitors centre that helped him to identify which… Read more »

Kevin's Story

Kevin uses Independent Options’ Short Breaks service. His Mum, Jude, tells of how the experience has helped her family.

“Having a disabled child totally changes the dynamics of family life. With all the meetings, hospital appointments and such it can be draining on everyone. When Kevin is at Hallfield guest house I am safe in the knowledge that he is with staff who genuinely care. I also know that he always has a great time and he can do what he chooses to do safely – and without his Mum there too! To have this service is so valuable as it gives me as a parent that time to do things I can’t when Kevin is at home, and I don’t feel guilty leaving him because I know that he really enjoys his time there with the staff and other guests.

“I adore my son and would not change him or his disability as then that would not be Kevin, but to have these respite breaks is wonderful for both of us as it means that I can recharge my batteries too. A service like the one offered through Independent Options is genuinely priceless.”

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