Scottish charity Ecas, which supports people with a physical disability in Edinburgh and the Lothians, has announced a new service to help young adults to achieve their life goals.

The announcement was made during a showcase event where the charity looked back at its 100 year history and celebrated the many talents and achievements of the people it supports.

Ally Irvine, Chief Executive of Ecas, said:

Our research shows that younger disabled adults face multiple barriers when accessing services. The new service will offer one-to-one support to assist people aged between 18-30 with achieving their personal goals whilst taking account of their own unique circumstances.

Ecas is initially focusing on reaching out to potential beneficiaries of the service and mapping existing service provision. This includes encouraging individuals and organisations to get in touch with ideas and referrals.

Irvine continued:

We know we can’t do it alone. We’re keen to work alongside young people as well as other organisations in both the voluntary and statutory sector. Together we will be better able to deliver on individual outcomes and identify suitable pathways for people to realise their ambitions and aspirations.

According to Ecas, disabled people’s perception of themselves is often shaped by life experiences around what they cannot achieve due to their impairments. A key aim of this service is to shift focus toward what they can achieve with appropriate support. It will include one-to-one support in drawing up a personal action plan that takes account of an individual’s capacities, skills and interests, and focuses on their strengths, in order to create positive changes in their lives.

With the support of other organisations and young disabled people themselves, Ecas aims to provide a service that has the potential to transform lives in a sustainable and meaningful way.

Photo: Ecas