College for young adults with disabilities finds new home in Derby city centre
A pioneering provision for young adults with disabilities has found a new home in Derby’s city centre.
Transition2, a service provided by Derby City Council, offers transition programmes that help young people aged 18-25 with learning difficulties, learning disabilities, and autism become active and engaged members of their communities.
The organisation has relocated to Friar Gate Studios in the heart of Derby’s Student Quarter, leaving behind its previous location of 14 years on Whitaker Road in Littleover.
It allows Transition2 to expand its services, including establishing a new post-16 SEND hub.
Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Derby City Council’s Cabinet Member for Young People and Skills said: “Transition2’s long history of excellent work has taken an exciting new step with its move to Friar Gate Studios. The move will enable the facility to offer even more to our young people with SEND.
“We’re passionate about helping young people with SEND fulfil their potential. Being able to continue their education in Derby allows these young people to remain connected to their community as they transition into adulthood, building independent and fulfilling lives as active community members.
Despite the move, the current learning programmes will continue for the remainder of the academic year.
Starting in September, Transition2 will introduce a range of new learning programmes and services.
These include the World of Work programme, which prepares participants for employment by developing transferrable job-related skills.
The programme features catering training in the onsite training café, enterprise opportunities in horticulture, joinery, retail, and multi-sector work tasters.
Another initiative, Supported Internships, focuses on securing paid employment through work placements, job coaching, mentoring, and independent travel training.
Simon Hancox, head of service at Transition2 said: “Our move to a building in the heart of Derby’s Student Quarter offers an excellent opportunity for our learners to navigate the city alongside their peers as they head to their education and workplace destinations.
“Additionally, our central location opens up more opportunities for travel training and fostering valuable connections with families, local employers, adult social care, and health services.”
