InFocus Charity

Young people and adults at InFocus experience a broad and balanced range of services across Education, Residential, Therapy and Mobility, with a specialist visual impairment approach within our day and residential provision.

National

The InFocus curriculum model is built on five key areas which develop skills, promote values and foster positive attitudes and behaviours.

Together with each student the curriculum focuses on:

Core life skills – embracing life to the fullest 

• enhancing communication skills, literacy, numeracy and ICT
• using technology to enhance daily life
• maximising functional vision

Social and Community – living healthy and happy lives

• following passions and doing things they really enjoy
• enjoying relationships with family and friends and meeting new people
• breaking down barriers associated with disability

Voice and Choice – advocating for themselves

• using their voice about things that matter to them
• making choices about all aspects of life to the fullest possible extent
• to use money, live a healthy life and manage relationships

Independence – maximising daily living skills

• living as independently as they are able, with the right level of support
• developing resilience and self-care routines
• travelling within their community with the support needed

Work – developing meaningful occupation

• learning the skills to thrive in a workplace or volunteer role
• experiencing work and volunteering placements 
• being valued and active citizens in the community with a sense of purpose

The InFocus College Curriculum offers the following:

• Specialist VI approach to curriculum for all students
• Programmes built around the needs of students who are working below the national curriculum standards for their age
• Programmes for students with learning disabilities and additional /complex needs
• Access to accredited academic and vocational courses if appropriate
• Outreach VI services for students and teachers in mainstream schools, colleges and FE providers
• Appropriate work experience and supported internships in conjunction with education provision

Facilities at InFocus are accessible to all and include; swimming pool, hydro pool, trampoline, cycles and trikes, sensory garden, gym, forest school, Discovery Garden, 13-acre horticulture site, sports and many other activities linked to their individual programme of development and mobility. 

Enrichment activities such as trips to the beach, wheelchair dancing, Jubilee Challenge on Dartmoor, tenpin bowling, horse riding, sailing, and residential trips are fun and meaningful experiences which young people are encouraged to access to support their development.

Another aspect of InFocus's offer is a successful social enterprise provision, which gives students access to learning and work experiences in six charity shops and at two horticulture projects. There are also supported internships and other work experience placements across a range of industries.