Natural Ability

Over the past 8 years the organisation and its beneficiaries have grown dramatically and the need for our services continues to rise. Our aim is to provide choice for people with learning disabilities so that they can live where they choose, work in areas which interest them and develop skills throughout their lives.

Did you know...

We currently have three core services operating in the North East in which we support both children and adults.

Our Day Farming Service provides rural training and work experience for adults including those with complex needs. Working outdoors in the beautiful rugged North Pennines brings a great sense of physical and psychological wellbeing. Our ‘Day Farmers’ gain life skills, employability skills, improve their self-confidence and move towards independence. We also, when appropriate, offer opportunities for service users to gain accredited qualifications. Currently our Day Farmers work on privately and publically owned farms and have also developed the community garden at Sinderhope Community Centre.

Our Independent Supported Living Service supports and empowers adults with learning disabilities to live their lives to the fullest and as independently as possible. We offer people the chance to live where they want, how they want and importantly with who they want by providing bespoke support to meet an individual’s needs and wishes. Service users are tenants of their own homes and are supported to be a real part of their local community. We build self-esteem, teach daily living skills, access community facilities and work placements, support people to complete personal care, access short breaks and holidays and help them to manage their behaviour if appropriate.

Children's needs are often complex enough such that mainstream education and classroom-based special education needs provisions are not adequate and provoke the risk of disengagement with education completely. Our Specialist Education Service offers alternative education to children in key stages 1 to 4 and also with post 16 year olds. Personalised curriculums meet the individual learning needs of children in a safe and nurturing environment. Older students can work towards ASDAN qualifications in a wide range of subjects with a focus on life skills, social skills, employability and working towards independence.

What makes Natural Ability different

Natural Ability is a rural charity supporting individuals within rural communities. We ensure that individuals with learning disabilities have the choice to live their lives in their own communities. We bring the support to them rather than individuals feeling their only option is to access support in urban areas.

We create alternative opportunities for those children and adults who require more than mainstream or centre based settings. Out holistic approach utilises the environment of our rural setting to empower people to learn new skills, live a healthy lifestyle, work towards independence and work with and become valued members of their local communities.

Other ways to support

Supporters of Natural Ability can get involved in a number of ways:

• Volunteer with us

• Support our Fundraising events, initiatives and activities