How the Targeted Intervention Group continues to support young people with learning disabilities and autism around Manchester, with support from the GTCT
The Geraint Thomas Cycling Trust (GTCT) is proud to have supported the Targeted Intervention Group CIC, a Manchester-based not-for-profit group which supports young people with learning disabilities or autism, or both, who live in some of the UK’s most deprived communities.
We recently spoke to Andrew Vaughton, the Group’s Director of Operations, who explained to us that “grants are vital to us and allow us to undertake the work that we do. Without them, we simply couldn’t function,” he told us.
The GTCT provided a grant for the Group to purchase five high-quality bikes for the young people to utilise. The acquisition of the new bikes has enabled the Targeted Intervention Group to deliver cycling and bike maintenance projects where Youth Workers, who are also trained Bike Leaders through British Cycling, support participants.
Through these sessions and projects, the young people:
- Learn to ride bikes safely in the grounds of our youth centre.
- Learn to ride bikes safely on roads.
- Go on cycling trips away from the city into the countryside around Manchester.
- Learn to fix and maintain bikes.
Andrew went on to explain the importance of the Targeted Intervention Group’s work.
“As well as experiencing learning disability or autism, or both, the young people involved also face a number of additional challenges in their lives. These can include living in some of the country’s most deprived areas, particularly the Hulme and Moss Side areas of Manchester; belonging to this country’s racially minoritised communities, or other minoritised communities such as being LGBTQ+; being involved in the criminal justice system; and not attending school or college.
“Data shows that this cohort of young people are more likely than their peers to have mental health illness and be admitted to mental health hospitals; be abused, including sexual, physical and emotional abuse and are less likely to receive protection when they are abused; and are more vulnerable to criminal exploitation and radicalisation,” Andrew stated.
The Group’s impact is all the more vital when taking into account its reach, and the benefits experienced are evident.
One central theme of feedback is enjoyment, with both participants and their parents or carers telling the Group how much fun the sessions are.
“This may not seem like much,” Andrew commented, “but this cohort of young people struggle to make friends and socialise, so to give them the opportunity to do this and have fun means a lot.”
One parent told the Group that her daughter uses the calendar and clock to tell her mum how many days and hours there are left until 18:00 on a Wednesday when she can go to the club.
“Being happy is a key protective factor for positive mental health and wellbeing,” Andrew continued, “and helps prevent them from developing mental health illness and being admitted to a mental health hospital, which they are more likely to experience than their peers.”
The Group also gives young people from these communities a greater sense of independence and self-confidence.
“Some of the young people have started cycling to school or college as well as visiting friends who they have met through the project at evenings or weekends, which is a big leap for many of them,” confirmed Andrew.
Another key benefit of the Group’s work is opening up trusting relationships with these young people.
“Our skilled and experienced Youth Workers have the opportunity to develop positive relationships, based on safety and trust, with the young people,” Andrew says. “This often leads to them being more open and honest with us than they have been with other professionals, telling us about the issues they face.”
Another parent, for example, described how her son joined the group at a time when he’d quit school due to his needs not being met. At a time when the family were struggling and desperate for him to keep social in a friendly and supportive environment, the Targeted Intervention Group was vital. The parent went on to feed back that Youth Work Co-Ordinator Roger Newell was “warm”, “quick to respond”, and “went over and above” to welcome her son, who “couldn’t believe there were adults and children out there who were genuine and friendly.”
“These relationships allow us to identify priority needs and provide personalised interventions to help the young people overcome the issues they are facing,” Andrew told us. “This has led to young people disclosing serious safeguarding concerns to us that we have successfully supported.”
As well as these crucial benefits for participants, work undertaken by the Targeted Intervention Group is pivotal for the parents and carers of the young people supported.
“Being a parent or carer of a young person with learning disability or autism, or both, can be physically and emotionally challenging,” Andrew confirmed. “The young people don’t tend to go out and socialise much and direct support for their parents and carers is very limited.
“They tell us that the project gives them an opportunity to take some time for themselves and recharge their batteries which helps them deal with the challenges involved and be the good parent or carer they want to be.”
The Targeted Intervention Group is yet another example of how cycling can be used as a powerful tool for change and good.
The GTCT exists to ensure that every young person, regardless of their individual circumstances, has access to cycling and the opportunity to feel its benefits, both physically and mentally.
Learn more about applying for a grant, whether for an individual or group, here!
