We look forward to an Ireland where young
people with intellectual disabilities are
truly active and valued citizens.
We see young people
with intellectual disabilities
as active participants in society.
We believe young people with intellectual
disabilities should have the same opportunities
as all other young people.
We strive always to make a measurable
difference in the quality of life
young people with intellectual disabilities.
Our vision is to create an inclusive society for
young people with intellectual disabilities.
Explore + gateway
Blossom Explore and Blossom Gateway programmes run over 4 years and provide a skills based training designed to prepare our participants for life as an adult.
There are 26 sessions during the academic year and they are held at different locations at weekends and evenings with each session lasting between 2-3 hours.
Participants to Blossom Explore and Blossom Gateway and their families will also receive support from our Blossom Connect programme including training, preparation of a one-page profile and person-centred reviews aligned with the Blossom Explore and Blossom Gateway programme goals.
DOWNLOAD OUR BROCHURECore modules delivered during Blossom Explore and Blossom Gateway
Social Skills for Life
These skills include developing friendships and relationships, developing self- awareness and learning to say what you want to say. Blossom Gateway and Blossom Explore focuses on exploring interests, social skills for everyday interactions and learning coping skills for various situations that may arise while out in the community and in the workplace.
Social Skills for Life
These skills include developing friendships and relationships, developing self- awareness and learning to say what you want to say. Blossom Gateway and Blossom Explore focuses on exploring interests, social skills for everyday interactions and learning coping skills for various situations that may arise while out in the community and in the workplace.
Community Life Skills
The community life skills module aims to teach independence in a practical and meaningful way. The life skills are taught out in the community in natural contexts such as cafes, shops and public transport. The highly evidence based method of video modelling enables others such as parents to continue the teaching outside of the programme hours. As the student progresses from Blossom Explore to Blossom Gateway budgeting, time keeping and independent daily planning are incorporated into the programme.
Community Life
The community life skills module aims to teach independence in a practical and meaningful way. The life skills are taught out in the community in natural contexts such as cafes, shops and public transport. The highly evidence based method of video modelling enables others such as parents to continue the teaching outside of the programme hours. As the student progresses from Blossom Explore to Blossom Gateway budgeting, time keeping and independent daily planning are incorporated into the programme.
Preparing for Life after School
The preparing for life after school module gives participants the opportunity to explore areas of interest. At Blossom Explore level the participants will work on time keeping skills and organisational skills. At Blossom Gateway level the students will complete a number of work sampling days across a variety of different workplaces. In the second year of Blossom Gateway students will have the opportunity and be supported to complete a block of work experience in a choice of settings.
Preparing for Life after School
The preparing for life after school module gives participants the opportunity to explore areas of interest. Participants will work on visual interest boards that they use as a reference point for communication. At Blossom Explore level the participants will work on time keeping skills and organisational skills. At Blossom Gateway level the students will complete a number of work sampling days across a variety of different workplaces. In the second year of Blossom Gateway students will have the opportunity and be supported to complete a block of work experience in a choice of settings.
