Special needs scheme set for expansion

A partnership between the Learning Skills Council, Education in the Community and Aim High has allowed Spennymoor Learning Library, in County Durham, to receive £13,546 for the Neighbourhood Learning in Deprived Communities Fund.

It means that the library can extend its services in the Easington area so that it has a presence there three days a week.

Jackie Heslop, co-ordinator at the learning library, said: "At the moment, Hazel Lee our outreach worker for Easington, is there one day a week.

"This funding means that she can now be there three days a week and we can extend the service to people of all age groups. We are looking to start it in the New Year.''

The Spennymoor Learning Library was established in 1986 and lends specialist equipment and toys to people with special needs in Easington, Sedgefield, Wear Valley, Teesdale, and Darlington.

Margaret Worsnop, deputy co-ordinator, said: "We have things from conventional toys to fibre optics, special bikes and outdoor equipment.

"We are also quite flexible. If somebody rings us to request a particular piece of equipment, we will try our best to get hold of it on the understanding that when they have finished with it, it is brought back to the library for use by other families.''

A lot of the work carried out by the library is done in people's homes with six outreach workers visiting individuals to assess their needs.

A support system is also run in schools, nurseries and residential homes through outreach workers.

The charity's patrons are Prime Minister Tony Blair and Derek Foster, the MP for Bishop Auckland, in County Durham.About 400 members use the scheme .

Organisers also launched a befrienders scheme, run by co-ordinator Jan Clemment.

The scheme matches volunteers with adults with learning difficulties to help them get out and about in the community.

To find out more about the Learning Library or the Befrienders scheme, contact (01388) 420267 or (01388) 816784.