Building Independence
This Department aims primarily to help our clients with higher capacity to broaden their horizons and more fully integrate with their communities both within and outside of Sheffield. We aim to do this by identifying exciting, creative sessions, projects and events based not only at Burton Street but at a number of different locations in Sheffield. By focusing on people’s strengths as well as empowering clients to take on new challenges, we will help them to overcome together some of the traditional barriers that face adults with learning difficulties everywhere. Most importantly of all, we aim to help people take control of their lives and so become happier and more fulfilled individuals. Some of the ways we are trying to do this are…
Exciting projects + partnerships
Our projects and partnerships aren’t just any old gigs – they’re all about personal and professional growth, both for you and our awesome team.
We’ve been the hub of some pretty cool projects that have brought together people and organisations from all walks of life. From delivering Hate Crime workshops in schools with Sheffield Voices to hitting the airwaves with BBC Radio Sheffield. We’ve teamed up with South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, strutted our stuff at Sheffield Museums, and even hosted epic sports days at places like Hillsborough Leisure Centre and the University of Sheffield. But we’re not just about making moves for ourselves – we’re all about spreading the love. We’ve raised funds for amazing organisations like the Children’s Hospital, and we’re always on the lookout for new ways to lend a hand, like our very own superhero, Zahara! She’s been smashing her personal goals, including a couch to 5km in just three months and raising a tonne of cash for a fantastic WAW organisation. In return, they brought the heat all the way from Norwich to put on a special show, just for Zahara and all of her friends!
Here at Burton Street, there’s always something amazing happening.
Your Voice at Burton Street
Increasing the client’s involvement in all aspects of Burton Street including, interviews, visitor tours, client board, funding bids and session development. Many of our clients have now had the opportunity to take visitors round the site and also to interview potential new staff as part of our interview process. We have also launched our new Client Board which is providing paid opportunities for our clients to advocate for their peers and make a real difference to the way that we do things at Burton Street. By listening directly to what our clients want, we are placing them at the heart of everything we do here at Burton Street.
Our Sessions On the Go
These have included all day walking sessions, an allotment group in Walkley, a Museum session based at Weston Park Museum, a drama group at the Easy Street theatre company in Netheredge and sessions based at Beighton Lifestyle Centre. These sessions give our clients a different perspective, new opportunities and a chance to explore and integrate into wider communities within Sheffield. There is also a special quality to sessions run off site that can allow these smaller groups to produce some truly wonderful things. As well as sessions we encourage lots of trips and 1 off events so that we can expand and enrich the lives of the clients that come to Burton Street.
Partnerships: Building Together
Recognising the strength in unity, we actively seek partnerships with organisations that share our values and commitment to empowering individuals. These collaborations allow us to expand our support network, providing our clients with a wider range of resources, expertise, and opportunities. By leveraging these partnerships, we create an ecosystem where the collective efforts of like-minded organisations amplify the impact of our initiatives.
Encouraging creative collaboration is an integral part of our ethos. We believe that diverse perspectives and collective creativity lead to innovative solutions. Both clients and staff are encouraged to identify and explore opportunities for collaboration, fostering a culture of openness and innovation at Burton Street Foundation.
Building Independence means Building Relationships!
Technically, the word independence means doing things for yourself or on your
own. But in reality, we all depend on each other, friends, family, colleagues, peers for pretty much all of the things that we do and enjoy!
Building Independence is about making your voice heard and having the confidence to make the choices you want and taking control of your life. In reality, we’re trying to build supportive relationships, encouraging interdependence. See how Burton Street will be a safe space to encourage your loved ones independence.
What Our Team Think...
