Unicorn Centre

The centre is fully accessible and equipped with innovative technology. Facilities include:

• sensory rooms
• state-of-the-art music room
• wet and dry art rooms
• sensory garden
• Changing Places facility (also available to the public)

Rooms are available for hire to individuals, professionals and service providers within and outside Dudley borough.

• Artwork made by Unicorn Centre customers and staff to celebrate spring
• Artwork made by Unicorn Centre customers and staff for the coronation of King Charles III
• Staff 'Wearing it Green' for Mental Health Awareness week, 15-19 May, 2023

Our highly trained and passionate staff are committed to working with people to achieve their personal and health outcomes. We focus on maintaining and improving physical, social and emotional wellbeing.

At the Unicorn Centre we pride ourselves on working with specialist health and social care professionals. These include:

• social workers
• speech and language therapists, including Dysphagia Team
• occupational health practitioners
• physiotherapists
• dieticians
• district nurses
• epilepsy management
• psychology

We place great importance on close partnership working. This ensures that we offer holistic and patient specific support.

Through intensive interaction we aim to enable communication and social interactivity.

Our accredited intensive interaction co-ordinators offer training to social care staff, parents, carers and health professionals.

Through observation, assessment, role modelling and mentoring we can work with individuals or teams to develop them as intensive interaction practitioners.

We regularly produce a newsletter. The latest edition can be downloaded.

Once a week our life skills group plan, purchase, prepare and cook their own lunch.

My name is Laura and I enjoy my Independent Living Skills session. My favourite meal that I have cooked is spaghetti on toast.

My name is Susie. I love it when I go to get the shopping from the supermarket. My favourite meal to make is curry.

Whether people are looking for paid work or volunteering, moving to supported living or need some help with their daily lives.

Our introductory course provides useful guidance, discussion and links to help with this journey.

The 6 week course covers:

• money management and budgeting
• basic cooking skills and easy recipes
• home safety, including internet and devices
• work opportunities and volunteering
• supported living and getting your own place

As well as supporting those that come to the Unicorn Centre we also offer support out in the community. This can include our independent living skills and independent travel training as part of a plan to develop and maintain independence in life skills. The team will assess the person's skills and the support they need before a formal package of support is put in place. Life skills may include:

• shopping
• cooking simple meals
• domestic chores
• banking

This is not an exhaustive list. Get in touch and we will let you know if we can or cannot accommodate a request.

Our staff have achieved the accredited level 2 Travel Training programme. This includes training in:

• Autistic Spectrum Disorder
• Problem solving when delivering Independent Travel Training
• Understanding and implementing the process for teaching Independent Travel

My name is Tanya, I have Autism.

I attend appointments at the same place on a regular basis. The cost of getting there by taxi was getting too expensive so I needed to look at other alternatives.

I was referred to The Unicorn Centre for Travel Training as I felt that with the right support, I would be able to travel independently by bus.

I am very hypersensitive to sound and smell. To help overcome these I used headphones to block out noise and used vanilla spray on the wristbands of my coat to help alleviate smells. Vanilla is also very calming to me as I love baking with my grandmother and it reminds me of this.

I enjoyed my independent travel training with Julie. She made me feel very comfortable during our trips on the bus and always brought a smile to my face. She helped me grow in confidence as the weeks went by.

I am now confident to travel to and from my appointments on my own.

I fully recommend Julie, she is fantastic.

This may include where there is a breakdown in usual support and there is no natural alternative. Or, where there is a breakdown in paid support. Support may include:

• eating and drinking, including where there is a Dysphagia plan
• health monitoring, eg weight, skin integrity
• postural care
• therapeutic activities, eg sensory stimulation, intensive interaction
• social interaction
• respite for family

Do you have a learning disability and/or autism? Come and join us at the Unicorn Drop In, every Friday from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. There's no need to book, just pop along.

The group chooses the topics and might cover things like:

• what benefits may be available to you
• learning a new skill
• how to apply for a job
• questions about housing
• what's happening in Dudley local to you

This is an opportunity to come and have a chat and meet new friends. If you want to talk about a specific concern then our outreach support staff are on hand to advise and support you.

For further information email us or call 01384 813300.

Support Worker Jessica Stokes has completed her Care Certificate.

Development Worker Cheryl Witton has completed her SHINE Leadership Development Programme.

Staff have recently completed the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism.

Please contact the Unicorn Centre and we will email a referral form to you.

Email: unicorn.centre@dudley.gov.uk

Telephone: 01384 813300 (Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm)

Unicorn Centre, Brettell Lane, Amblecote, Stourbridge, DY8 4BP