MK SNAP is a passionate and dynamic local charity providing, education and work training sessions designed for individuals with learning disabilities aged 18+ years. Giving them the support to grow confidence, develop life skills and harness their hidden talents.
We support more than 140 people in a purpose-built learning and education centre. Our mission is to deliver excellence in a leading programme of person-centred education, life skills, work preparation and opportunities for work to adults with learning difficulties, thereby providing them with better opportunities, choice and quality of life.
Our vision is that adults with learning difficulties have an opportunity to achieve and aspire to be the best that they can, living rich and rewarding lives, including living as independently as possible, and making a meaningful and fulfilling contribution to society. This may include work within MK SNAP or in the community. Each learner has a personal development plan to meet their needs, aspirations, interests and talents. Their support is tailored to ensure that sessions are accessible and inclusive.
Main activities
Independent lives means different things for different people from having the confidence and skills to decide their own meals, budget, shop and cook, to moving from the family home to supported living, and work opportunities.
Work maybe a job responsibility within MK SNAP, either voluntary or paid, being able to take part in volunteering or a part-time job.
Our extensive range of subjects cover three main themes to meet this objective.
1. Life-skills such as numeracy, literacy, IT and internet safety, road safety, budgeting, personal hygiene. The Life skills sessions provide learners with the opportunity to develop various skills they will use throughout their day-to-day lives.
2. Health and wellbeing (yoga and meditation, cooking, meal planning, indoor and outdoor physical activities, music, dance and performing arts. We have been fortunate to work with the following sporting partners such as Bedford Blues RFU and MK Dons SET, recently being awarded the Leap Sports Award 2019!
3. SNAP Enterprise (work training assembly and packing, community café, canvas art and handmade gifts and horticulture). From ‘ground to table’ with our horticulture and catering business and from ‘idea to reality’ in our retail business of canvas art, pottery, handmade crafts and cards, people with learning disabilities will gain skills to open doors to new opportunities.
SNAP Enterprise allows our learners to understand a real work place setting developing professional skills such as meeting deadlines and completing tasks to a high standard. Corporate outsourcing to MK SNAP helps us to develop and maintain our work skills programmes.
Evidence by Steve Beyer and Carol Robinson in 2009 shows that, with the right support, people with learning disabilities can not only work but do an excellent job that they and their employers value highly!
We welcome the support and involvement of the MK and surrounding business community, offering CSR days, team visits, donations, work experience and fundraisers.
To find our more please visit www.mksnap.org
