AN ANDOVER man is bringing an innovative initiative to the town to promote a healthy, social and active lifestyle for young adults with learning disabilities.

The Inclusion Project puts the emphasis on participants to be included in the community.

The Inclusion Project Andover, Basingstoke & Newbury is led by area manager Dom Chad who brings over 15 years’ experience of working in a variety of roles within the field of health and social care.

Dom started out in 2003 as a support worker for Mencap in Guildford, working with adults with learning disabilities in a residential setting.

In the years following, Dom has worked with a wide range of clients with learning and physical disabilities, and autism in a variety of different settings, as well as several years working as a paramedic in central London.

Dom said: “I moved to the Andover area with my family last year and as I was still working in Guildford I started looking for the right opportunity to bring my work life closer to home.

“Not long afterwards I became aware of The Inclusion Project and was absolutely blown away by the simplicity and brilliance of the idea.

“The simplest answers are usually the best, and so the idea of going out and being the bridge between adults with learning disabilities and the community activities – that they are struggling to access – really spoke to me.

“As I became aware that my new home has a strong community of people with learning disabilities, and a fantastic array of activities on offer, I knew The Inclusion Project had to be brought to the area.

“I have seen how it is revolutionising the lives of everyone involved in the areas where it is already running, and I am so excited to have the opportunity to do the same for my community.”

Founded by Simon Jackson-Turner in 2016 with just four participants across five days a week, today The Inclusion Project supports more than 550 participants across nine counties, seven days a week.

Mr Jackson-Turner came up with the project when he realised post-education life can be an abyss for people with learning disabilities, as it can be difficult to find activities during weekdays that will facilitate the lifestyle that young adults desire.

Founder and managing director, Mr Jackson-Turner, said: “I am very excited that Dom is bringing inclusion to the people of Andover, Basingstoke and Newbury.

“We envision a world in which all people with Autism and Learning Disabilities have the opportunity to enhance their quality of life, realise their personal life aspirations and become valued members of welcoming communities.

“Dom has a wealth of experience. We are so privileged to have the best of the best working with our participants and families. “All Area Managers diligently ensure that our Participants are supported by the best Adult Social Care Teams, and they set targets and develop plans to facilitate working towards these goals.

“We have our own inclusion revolution! And rightly so.”