Rebecca; a lovely teenager with a sweet smile is the youngest of three sisters, it’s just that she has Downs syndrome. Before coming to Thrive she was struggling with school and unsettled at home. Thanks to Thrive’s practical approach to learning in a garden, Rebecca has become a happy and enthusiastic member of her gardening group and she has built up her skills. She now loves being "one of the girls" and talking about school and what she’s planning next for her garden.
"I feel happy" "I am more involved and polite" "I have learnt lots of things" "I love it here so much, it’s amazing" "I have made new friends and like everybody here"…. are just some of the things Rebecca says about Thrive.
Thrive focuses on helping Rebecca to work well alongside her fellow gardeners, think for herself, learn new skills and complete tasks well. Rebecca’s day is usually spent on the allotment; she enjoys digging and likes growing vegetables, particularly potatoes, even though she says it can be hard work! Rebecca’s new found confidence means she is looking forward to going to agricultural college next term whilst still coming to Thrive once a week.
Mum Jocelyn says :
"Thrive has been a breath of fresh air for Rebecca……My husband is a GP; I am a nurse and one of my daughters is an occupational therapist, so we all find the whole ethos of Thrive amazing for helping such a diverse group of people."
It costs,£30,000 every year to run our youth programmes and on average £30 a week for a young person to come to Thrive and learn to live an ordinary life.
Together we can help more Rebeccas - Donate today!