Celebrating 20 years of Day Opportunities
Troy’s story
‘Let them try’.
These are the simple words of advice from Sandra Rodgers, as she reflects on her son Troy’s journey since leaving school in 2022, and the support he has received from the Northern Health and Social Care Trust’s Day Opportunities team.
With initial plans made for Troy to attend Scope, the Trust’s community hub in Ballymena, Sandra said it was a nervous time for the family as they prepared for him to take this first step in a new chapter of his life.
As Day Opportunities celebrates its 20th anniversary of providing ‘opportunities for all’ in the Northern Trust, Troy’s story showcases the enduring difference it can make to people’s lives.
Reflecting on Troy’s experience, Sandra said: “I had a lot of ‘what if’ scenarios in my head but Troy’s dad Richard was steadfast that we had to support him to prepare for life in the best way we could and we had to let him try. Like most mothers, I would have been inclined to do more for him, but Richard always ensured that he learned things for himself.”
During preparations for the transition, Sandra and Richard discussed what other options were open to Troy, and they met with Day Opportunities Coordinator Sonia Carson to find out more about the role it might play.
Potential
The Day Opportunities service supports adults with a learning disability to ensure they can live life to the fullest and achieve their true potential. This includes access to further and higher education as well as paid employment, volunteering, and social enterprise.
Sonia explains: “We arranged a visit for Troy and his parents at the Northern Regional College in Ballymena to show them around, meet the tutors and gain an understanding of how this opportunity could work for Troy.
“This proved to be very helpful and from this point they felt that Troy would be able to manage this level of independence. It gave Sandra peace-of-mind to meet the tutor and helped to calm many of the fears that she had.
“At this stage Troy and his parents thought that a mixed package between buildings based services and community based services would provide opportunity for growth and independence so that’s the approach we went for.”
With Sonia’s support, Troy enrolled in a six-week summer scheme at NRC which gave him an opportunity to attend college while the campus was quiet and he was able to settle into this new environment.
Sonia also began conversations around community transport and encouraged Troy and his family to see the benefits this could bring.
“I was worried about the idea of it, but Sonia was on hand to explain everything and this reassurance was invaluable as we supported Troy to make this step as well,” said Sandra.
With Troy’s long term goal in mind of progressing to work, Sonia arranged a visit to the Harmony Studio social enterprise (previously known as Alternative Angles), as part of the Trust’s partnership with Triangle Housing Association.
Troy and his family immediately felt that this could be a great opportunity, and he started with them in July 2022.
As September approached Troy settled well into the community hub, attending one day per week, and he commenced his Transition to College course at NRC.
Developing skills
From this point Troy’s aim was to develop his skills and be able to look at other day opportunities in the community. Staff at Scope were instrumental as they supported Troy’s personal development and they worked closely with Day Opportunities to ensure a collective approach to his progression.
The final leap for Troy was to start attending the Base in Ballymena. In partnership with Compass Advocacy Network, it facilitates friendships and social connections, encourages service users to use their local community and all it has to offer, and supports them to advocate for themselves.
He made the move in July last year, and now enjoys going out and about with his peers which is a huge achievement for him.
Those in Day Opportunities who know Troy would say he is a very cool character, laid back, full of craic and someone who takes things in his stride.
When asked what advice he would give to others who are about to leave school, Troy said: “There is always someone to ask and to help.”
“A key part of Troy’s success has been familiarity as he now sees many past pupils who have left school before and after him which has been very helpful, said Sandra.
“Looking back, I couldn’t have imagined supporting Troy with all the decisions we’ve faced along the way without Sonia’s input. Her communication and reassurance made the process easier and Troy has surprised me in so many ways over the last few years.
“I see him doing things now, and it’s no bother to him. If I could give parents any advice it would be ‘let them try’ because there’ll be lots of others like Troy out there I’m sure.”
Read other stories in this series
26th February 2025
