You may need to look for options other than training, education, or work. This could be because:
- You decide that further education or work is not the best option. Or maybe your family has helped make this decision.
- There is not enough help, or the right kind of help, available at the time to make education or work a positive experience.
If you are not moving on to further training, education, or work, you may consider other options. Depending on where you live, these could be known by different names.
Transition Options/Day Opportunities
These are programmes specifically to prepare young adults for independent living and work. They should help you be able to clearly define what you want to be working towards, and what you need to do or learn to make that happen.
These may seem similar to further education programmes because they involve learning new skills, but they are more focused on a person’s interests, priorities and individual needs. They cover skills that are not often taught in colleges, universities, or places of further education.
These programmes will help with many of the topics covered in this website, such as:
- Healthy eating and living habits
- How to use different forms of transportation (e.g. bus, train, taxi)
- Home and community safety
- Managing money
- Work related behaviours and skills
Volunteer opportunities
Volunteering is an activity that you do without being paid. This can be a very good way of spending time doing something you enjoy, while being helpful. It can also be a good way to make friends and be social. Although this is not work, it is still very important to:
- Follow directions
- Be reliable by being there on time, every day that you are scheduled
- Get along well with others
There are many different ways to become involved as a volunteer. Here are just some of the places you could contact to ask about volunteering:
- Animal shelters
- Libraries
- Retirement or nursing homes
- National parks
- Homeless shelters or soup kitchens
- Churches
- Charities and charity shops
Volunteer work can also help you learn important skills or behaviours that can prepare you for work or other training options. And although volunteers do not receive pay, sometimes it can lead to paid work if you prove that you are a good and reliable worker.
Day services
You may be able to attend a day service. This is usually a service provided or arranged by the state. Day services can be a good option if you need more help, support, or flexibility than can be provided in a work, training, or education setting.
‘Day service’ may mean that you go to a specific place on agreed days and times, but it could also mean that a support worker comes to you and helps you with getting out into the community, or daily activities such as washing your laundry and grocery shopping.
Day services can involve many different activities and options. Some of the types of activities might include:
- Recreation and hobby classes such as art, music, or dance
- Classes to help develop independence skills such as learning healthy eating habits or money management
- Recreational activities such as going to the cinema or gym
- Chances for volunteering
Whatever the plan is, it should include your choices and interests as much as possible.
Day services occur during usual daytime business hours (Monday-Friday, 9:00-5:00), but this does not mean that you must attend day service full-time. It is important to agree to a schedule that is good for you.
Every day service is different, so you should visit the service and find out as much information as possible before making a choice.