The Orpheus Centre provides opportunities for young disabled adults to promote personal development through performing arts and other learning programmes, so they gain the skills to live independently in the community, and to make informed choices about their future.
Apprentices are young disabled people who wish to develop their confidence, independence and life skills. Does this sound like you? If so you must be aged 18 -25, have a physical impairment and/or mild to moderate learning disability and an interest in some aspect of performing arts.
You should also be at a stage in your life when you want to develop life skills and begin to take control of and make decisions about your future. The Centre provides a 24 hour learning environment that facilitates apprentices’ learning and supports the continuous development of skills. Orpheus aims to provide apprentices with a wide range of practical performing arts skills which result in a set of transferable skills that can be used in daily life. We welcome diversity and encourage personal development and growth.
All personal support is provided by our apprentice services team. You will be assigned a keyworker and will meet with them weekly to discuss your targets and progress. The keyworker will also meet with you and your personal tutor twice a block to help you to identify your learning progress, achievements and development needs. The Centre works using a person centred approach and aims to enable you to direct your own support and make choices about your lifestyle.
In order to provide a consistent service, we structure the working day so that each team member works with a small group of apprentices. This means that you will know exactly who will be supporting you throughout the day and night. Orpheus has waking night staff.
Orpheus will support you to access health services in the community and to take more control over this aspect of your life. We are registered as a care home, but we cannot provide nursing care or support. You can however, access the services of a district nurse through our local GP.
Orpheus will support you to attend medical appointments within a 25 mile radius of the Centre. You will need to make your own arrangements if you wish to keep consultants outside this area. Alternatively we can help you to move your consultant to our local hospital – East Surrey.
We make provision for one to one and group speech & language therapy based on assessed needs. Every apprentice has a physio assessment and a physiotherapist designs an individual exercise program. Other therapists, such occupational therapy and counselling, are available as needed.