The RIA Institute in Adliya, which supports and educates children with special needs, has recently launched a new scholastic and hands-on work experience (WEX)programme aiming to help develop young adults into productive, confident and fulfilled members of society.
The RIA Adult Centre (RAC) opened its doors last month with one full-time and two part-time pupils joining the fray to study a full college-type curriculum covering personal and social development based around a series of work experience placements at a variety of establishments and locations.
The centre hopes the initiative will potentially open permanent full or part-time opportunities for more adults with special educational needs (SEN).
The concept was created by Peter Dunne, an advanced skills teacher in specific learning disabilities who has years of experience working with teenagers with special needs, and Christine Gordon, the director of student services at RIA and the co-founder.
“One of the most repeated questions made by parents has been ‘What provision is there for my child after leaving school?’ and the answer was always ‘I’m not sure’,” explained Peter, the director of adult services and community liaison advisor for RAC, who lives in Al Quaraya. “Unfortunately there were no visible provisions for young people with SEN that were accessible elsewhere. If there was, it was certainly the best kept secret in Bahrain.
“We had a serious desire to make a difference for all adults with SEN, allowing them to participate in a structured learning educational environment.
“We wanted to offer a programme that was centred around quality work experience placements that also worked on improving key skills, functional skills and social and life skills. This will all take place throughout the week with a high level of qualified support.”
Students entering the college semester system can either opt for a full weekly programme or buy into sections of the programme as best suited by individual needs.
Peter is also offering ‘enrichment sessions’ like those found in SEN Adult Day Centres in the UK, where they can complete a series of social and practical activities such as craft work, DIY, as well as art and car maintenance.
“There would be no time limit on how long each might access the programme as we believe that ‘teaching and learning is for life’,” added Peter. “However, the aim of the programme is to enable as many young adults as possible to achieve meaningful full or part-time employment.
“In addition, we would help to make individuals independent in all areas of their lives. For some, that might be to achieve independent living. Parents in Bahrain have been requesting a programme like this for years and if we hadn’t made a determined effort to make this happen, then young adults would still be wondering what they would be facing having completed full-time education.”
Peter is confident the new programme will benefit students as he has already conducted several work experience placements for The Children’s Academy as well, an independent school for children with moderate learning difficulties. He is now the work experience coordinator and community liaison officer at the academy although he originally started in February 2012 as part of a team that oversaw the introduction of a more academic curriculum.
At the end of 2015-16, he helped five students complete an IGCSE course in English, Maths and ICT, gaining a 100 per cent pass rate. He described it as a ‘phenomenal achievement’ taking into account that the English and ICT syllabus changed half way through the two-year course.
“There was still an area of personal, social and work-based development that would greatly benefit each student from appropriate work experience opportunities, to be found in the local community,” Peter believes.
The first connection was made with the American Mission Hospital in Manama following a meeting with George Cheriyan, the hospital’s corporate CEO, and his colleague, Julia Tovey, AMH’s group CEO.
The gathering concluded unanimously that it would be a wonderful opportunity for both the hospital and the school. Students started working in the hospital’s filing room, canteen and marketing department and AMH has continued to welcome regular placements.
“Our success with AMH meant that we could positively approach other suitable providers,” added Peter. “The first being Bahrain Rugby Football Club who didn’t require any convincing at all in what a great opportunity it was for both parties.
“Little Gems Pre-School in Barbar also felt it would be an excellent opportunity for the academy students and would also benefit the development of their pupils.”
The BSPCA animal sanctuary was next to invite students completing placements in its Thrift Shop on Budaiya Highway. Peter felt it was important for students to work around members of the public who were shopping at the same time and the charity’s supporters were delighted to welcome them.
Suhaila Hammouda, GM of Saar Kennels, The Pet Hotel & Spa, became another convert to the cause and a full programme of jobs was agreed upon, making it a firm favourite with the students.
A meeting with Abdulla Adel Fakhro led to an introduction to Ahmad Jaser, GM of McDonald’s Bahrain, and part of the Fakhro Restaurants Co. The result was the McDonald’s staff devised a specific ‘Job Exposure Programme’ that enabled the academy students to complete three meaningful work experiences at its Adliya and Janabiya restaurants.
“They were a great success and both parties were thrilled with the outcome,” added Peter. “The British Club has also agreed to offer young students and adults the opportunity to complete effective work placements within its club premises. This was very much appreciated by all.
“BMMI have taken on a project that enables young adults to participate in a 12-week WEX programme in its Alosra supermarkets and McDonald’s, through Fakhro Restaurants Co, have successfully taken on a few adults with SEN.
“There is a need to further prepare young adults for the transition into adult life. Through this structured programme, we will ensure any young person will be better prepared for life, whether they gain meaningful employment or not.
“We require as many businesses, in all areas of industry, to come forward and offer help as they can. Whether its work opportunity placements, or additional support to the students and the centre by sharing expertise or resources. Assistance would be very much appreciated.”
Students recently enrolled include Rhea D’Mello, a trainee teaching assistant at RIA Institute, Layth Alzaid, Othmann Al Attar, the son of institute co-founders Christine and Dr Emad Al Attar, Jordan Garvie, Cilfren Tavares, Mishari Fathi and Fatima Alhiki.
Since the beginning of September, most of them have completed visits and received work experience at Harbour Tower, Bahrain Rugby Football Club, Mano’s Restaurant, The British Club, The Dilmun Club, as well as the Dilmun Stables.
Students Rhea, Othmann, Jordan, Cilfren and Layth assisted Sarah Clarke, author of the popular Baloo books, with her recent successful Poetry for Peace event staged at Harbour Towers.
Sarah said: “The students were excellent. They worked hard, were focussed and learned quickly. They did most of the set up and display, as well as guiding the visiting parties of children at the event.”
The students were back in action earlier this month at RIA when Sarah and Christine unveiled the Art for Autism Jigsaw mural which was framed by Mahmoud Fakhrawi Framing and sponsored by Hussain Tadayon, the chairman at Eastern Industrial & Oilfields Services.
They hosted the unveiling and completed work experience as greeters and waiters. Many visitors and parents participated in the workshops and presentations and were interested in finding out more about the RIA Adult Centre and how it could help with the development of their children into adulthood.
Jordan and Cilfren acted as waiters during the event after painting wall murals outside a new classroom.
Jordan’s dad Brett, the head of commercial contracts for Ahmed Mansoor Al A’ali Company, said he has already witnessed a significant improvement in his son’s confidence and believes that the programme will help in other aspects of his development, which includes spelling and writing.
Peter has coached children with learning difficulties, autism and cerebral palsy. Improvement involves a combination of hard work and support involving the pupils, coaches and their families, as well as patience, as like all children, they all develop at a different rate.
“They do get there in the end,” said Peter, “just at their own pace. You ‘never say never’ when referring to a child’s potential.
“Society often seems to judge the value of our young people by the number of A*s they achieve at GCSE, A Levels or IB and what university they gain a First-Class Hons degree from. Important though they are, the world doesn’t revolve just around this small group. Everybody has a value and should be judged on what abilities they have and not what disabilities they have.
“We simply need to make provisions to enable people of all abilities to make a meaningful contribution. If we do that, we will be going a long way towards making sure these youngsters feel that they have a worth and a true place in society.”
