The IONA Transition Project

IONA stands for Integration Opportunity and Nurturing of Achievement.

The project was set up in 2002. It is a collaborative development involving the following stakeholders:

• Service-users
• Parents/families/advocates
• Wisdom Services
• Department of Education and Science

The primary aim of the project is to facilitate school leavers to access a wide range of person-centred programmes and support strategies.

The key principles guiding the project are that it:

• Is service-user led
• Is built on participants strengths and preferences
• Is person centred
• Is quality assured
• Promotes integration and inclusion
• Fosters communication and co-operation within the extended collaborative team.

Service users on the project access many different facilities both on site and in the community. On site facilities include a multi-sensory area, gym, hydrotherapy pool, programme areas for individual table-top work, cookery facilities, a computer room and canteen facilities. Off site our service users have the opportunity to access local amenities such as horse-riding, nature walks, cycling and food shopping.

• Communication/language
• Behavioural approaches
• Adult education/life-long learning
• Social/integration
• Practical life-skills
• Leisure/recreational skills