Our Services
Project 49 provides innovative day services to adults with learning disabilities and associated needs. With a focus on healthy lifestyles and community inclusion, the service offers a variety of activities for over 100 people per day.
The service encourages working with external organisations and has forged strong links with other local services.
Wide range of in-house activities.
Experienced and compassionate staff.
Cookery and media groups.
Art projects.
Jump Up & Join In – Music groups.
Just Ride – cycling for disabled.
Alexandra Street
Southend-on-Sea
SS1 1BW
Manager: Sharon Needham
Telephone: 01702 212434
Email: sharonneedham@southendcare.co.uk
Case Study
Alan is an integral part of Project 49 life and is very much part of the ethos of Southend Care. He has two work placements; one voluntary at MENCAP and one paid at Shoebury Leisure Centre, which is supported by our staff team.
Alan attends Project 49 two days a week. He takes part in both community and physical activities after discovering the increased flexibility and mental wellbeing yoga can bring. In addition, working in a life skills session helps with his dietary needs. Recently, he dedicated his own time to assist with an evening film shoot, as part of the Music on Sea project we’re working on.
When volunteers were needed to help on the Judgemental Film project, screened on the Big Screen at the Forum last year, he was again keen to take part.
Project 49
Sharon has worked in the care sector for over 36 years. Starting in the private sector, she has also worked for several local borough councils. Sharon began managing the Making it Work service in 2017 and has been instrumental in shaping it. Sharon now also manages Project 49 which is our day opportunities service for people with learning disabilities. She enjoys visiting historical buildings, watching rugby, cooking, and especially values spending time with her family.
Pete has worked within social care for over 30 years, mainly with adults with learning disabilities. As co-ordinator of community inclusion, he is passionate about community development. Pete is a trustee at the local inclusive cycling charity Just Ride, chairperson of an inclusive arts organisation and trustee of a community development micro funding group.
“The staff are perfect, everything is. She is happy, I would know if she did not want to come. All the staff are lovely.”
“I know when I wave my daughter off in the morning – that I can relax because I know she is safe.”
“I like seeing and talking to all my friends. I enjoy all my sessions. I like talking to the staff.”
“The service helps *** to be more independent, whilst enabling her to access the activities she enjoys. In her own words ‘Project 49 is really interesting'”
