Over 25 Co-production and Social Group
Contact details
James Donougher
Telephone: 07857 328390
Supported By:
In partnership with Hive Portsmouth, Abilities for Life and the Aldingbourne Trust, Enable Ability has identified a gap in services for adult groups with disabilities aged 25 years and above. We felt the city of Portsmouth lacked a focus group, council or forum who represented people with disabilities, led by the clients themselves to benefit their local community. Therefore, with support from the Aldingbourne Trust, the proposal was to pilot a new initiative for a period of one year until December 2025. Another purpose is to continue the ‘Dynamite’ initiative, continuing the fantastic work demonstrated by the young people who attend the group but with a different name, age range and a slightly different approach to represent the older clientele.
The newly-formed ‘Over 25 Co-production and Social Group’ meet three times a month; once a month for the co-production meetings (where guest speakers are invited to talk to the group), this gives the service users an opportunity to talk about what is topical, sharing good news, offering advice to others and sharing information that may prove helpful to others.
Bi-weekly social meetings are great fun, this is an occasion where a discussion will be had on the accessibility of the venue where the social takes place, issues such as parking, wheelchair access, menu visibility and staff attentiveness. Venues vary each month and the group aims to find somewhere nearby where a fun activity can be enjoyed in the second hour.
Please remember, this is a pilot to encourage the people with disabilities to flex their independence. A declaration will need to be signed on arrival to agree to this, either by the attendee or a parent/carer, a copy of this is included in the booking process prior to attending.
Attendees have the choice to stay independently to enjoy the venue after staff leave at a pre-arranged time or a parent/carer can join them when the activity will be unstaffed, carers are always welcome to join the activities for free. Alternatively, the service user can make their own arrangements to leave the activity at this time.
Contact details:
James Donougher
Telephone: 023 9267 1846 / 07857 328390
Email: coproduction@enableability.org.uk
Key Facts:
Eligibility | Ages 25+ |
Level of support | Enable Ability staff can only facilitate the session in a safe and supportive environment, we cannot provide individual support. If you feel the individual needs support throughout the session, parents and carers are invited to the entire session to support the adult with disabilities. |
Access | By self-referral, parent, carer or professional. A declaration needs to be signed prior to attendance, through an Eventbrite link communicated by email to the co-production group's mailing list. |
Location | Varies depending on activities which are published monthly by email. |
Cost | Staffing, management and all overhead costs are paid for by the charity courtesy of Hive Portsmouth. Expenses for the activities are paid for by the client attending the activities, however this is optional. |
Additonal fees | Clients are encouraged to travel to and from activities using public transport.. |
More information | To enquire about the project please call the office on 023 9267 1846 or email coproduction@enableability.org.uk. Alternatively, call the Project Leader directly by contacting James on 07857 328390, office hours vary. For further information and to book, please click here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/over-25-co-production-and-social-group-97975040881 |
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Meet the Co-Production Group
Reece Drennan
My name is Reece, I am an over 25 co-production member and I have always lived in Southsea, I am also a proud member of Gig Buddies and play in a band. I am very independent and travel by bus around Portsmouth.
Nathan Wong
I am Nathan Wong, I work in a number of different places which I really enjoy including Staunton Park in Havant (Right to Work) Portsmouth Central Library and I attend Art Invisible in Emsworth – I am very good at art and some of my work has been sold there!
Shaune Shropshire
I’m Shaune, I joined the Enable Ability 25 Co production social group when they first started up on the first day! I really enjoy it!
Carly Blake
Hi I’m Carly and I joined the Enable Ability group when I was 6 years old and I really enjoyed myself and I still currently access the service now and I’ve made lots of new friends in my local community and it also helped me to gain the skills and confidence to be able to set up my own group for people with disabilities over 25 in the Cosham community centre. My “Abilities for Life” group has been running for 2 years now and we’re still going strong, and I used to volunteer for the jr group with Enable Ability as well and I’m a volunteer for the kids yppt group which is a group for people with disabilities and special needs 13-25. I also volunteer in a charity shop on Tuesday and Friday afternoons. I love making a positive difference to others and its always nice to give something back. I enjoy attending Pompey matches at Fratton Park and I’m a season ticket holder in the Fratton end and I love spending time with my rabbit “Pompey” and watching cartoons and listening to my music on my Alexa in my spare time.
Ada Gac
My name is Ada, I enjoy the Enable Ability group! I attend a number of places during the week including a day service, Make and Abilities for Life in Cosham I like to attend Gig Buddies and I am in a band.
Glenn Found
My name is Glenn Found I have been thorough Enable Ability since I was 5 years old, I have climbed the ranks and now I have got a job in Enable Ability looking after children aged 5-12 years.
Finlay Gray
Hi, I’m Finlay from Portsmouth. I’ve been part of the Enable Ability family for over 20 years. Have really enjoyed myself doing various activities & have made some great friends along the way. I also work at Lily & Lime cafe, attend Make & Creative Advances. My interests are performing & music. Been part of The Red Sauce Theatre group for many years & have recently been rehearsing in a band run by Gig Buddies. Portsmouth is such a great community for adults with special needs, lots going on & lots to do, so thankful to be involved!
Max Hockaday
I’m Max! I’m proud to have Down Syndrome! I’m kind, empathetic, and make a great cup of tea. I also love Disney, Marvel, and keeping things tidy.
I was born in Portsmouth; I have a kitchen job preparing food for the sailors in Portsmouth and I live semi-independently—something I’ve always dreamed of!
Enable Ability has been a big part of my journey since I joined at 17. I love meeting friends, going out for meals, and bowling. It’s great to have a social life and learn about accessible places in Portsmouth.
Ewan Butterworth
My name is Ewan Butterworth. I am 26 years old, I go to The View & work in their café, I have a paid job at Lidl, Lily & Lime and MAKE. My favourite thing to do is go to the cinema. I started at Enable ability when I was very young at their Saturday play scheme. .Later I helped out with the children at the playscheme. I was also part of Dynamite for a long time. Now I am part of the 25+ group.
Ruby
My name’s Ruby. I’m currently studying Film at University, for about 9 years I have been volunteering and working in disability advocacy in both my local area and across England, I have a strong sense of justice and I believe in fairness as well as getting people’s voices heard.
Rhiannon
My name is Rhiannon, I’ve lived in Portsmouth all my life. I love to shop, dine out and travel. My favourite way to travel is by ship. I love theme parks and hope to go to more this year. I struggle with some things but will always try my best. I’m not a fan of loud noises or fireworks as they scare me. I share my home with my mum and dad and two cats.
Anwen
I’m Anwen, but my friends call me Missy, I joined enable ability and it was the best choice I ever could make. I started out with Teenage Project then slowly transitioned their Youth Project NOW I’m also a part of the over 25’s, I must say when great opportunities have come up over the yrs and when I’ve felt it’s right for me I’ve take those opportunities and have enjoyed it with flying colours so thank you to everyone who works in Enable Ability I’ve made fab friends that I can say I’ll have in my life forever.
Matthew Martin
I’m Matthew Martin and I heard about Enable Ability through Jack and Tina. I am willing to go to an event and visit soon.
Olivia Parry
Hi I am Olivia. I’m the Queen of my own world, chasing dreams and unicorns. I am sunshine to all around but some days can be mixed with a little hurricane. I’m always on the go, living my best life, staying positive and keeping it real while living with disabilities. I attend MAKE at Aldingbourne Trust, Creative Advances, Ability for life, the gym and absolutely love coffee catch-ups.
Charlotte
Luke
George
Rachel Goodall
My name is Rachel, I am the new Deputy Project Leader with Enable Ability! My family have lived in Portsmouth for 5 generations and I love the city! I also run Red Sauce Theatre which has an inclusive theatre company that meets up once a week, the actors are all amazing and perform twice a year. I am thrilled to be working with James and Enable Ability and really looking forward to meeting you all and getting involved in the charity.
Jim Tolley
I am Jim! have worked for Enable Ability since 2018 in various support roles and thoroughly enjoy all I do. Before this I was an accountant working in the Charity Sector since 1992. Although originally I am from Gillingham in Kent, I have lived in Portsmouth since I was 4 years old. My main hobbies are reading and playing Dungeons and Dragons, I am currently the Project Leader for the Enable Ability Dungeons and Dragons Club. I am autistic and have ADHD, but this has little impact on my life as I have learned to cope with most situations.
James Donougher
Hello! I’m James and I have been a Project Leader with Enable Ability since September 2017 and still loving every minute! I have always lived in Portsmouth (apart from one random year living in Brighton) and love exploring, trying new things and experiencing life to the full. I am committed and fully dedicated to what Enable Ability offers to people with disabilities, I get great satisfaction from seeing others enjoy life and contributing to their happiness. I have enjoyed performing as a hobby for many years now, performing in many shows and dressed in plenty of silly costumes, including the Lion from the Wizard of Oz and even dressed as a nutty professor to launch rockets (not real ones)! These days, any spare time is spent keeping active and exploring the delights of Portsmouth and the surrounding area with my family and friends. Since graduating in Leisure Management & Marketing in 2007, past jobs have included a really fun assortment of roles within marketing, promotion, events and youth work. Enable Ability runs the most exciting projects I have ever been involved in to date and I simply cannot wait to meet you on an activity.