Travel training is underway so those attending Kisharon’s Ohel Rachel Adult Opportunity and Employment Services at its new location in East Finchley can travel there independently and with confidence.

Many live in or around Hendon and Golders Green and use buses 143 and 232 which stop near the centre in Thomas More Way, but this is far from the whole story, explained Employment and Opportunities Manager Shlomo Weltman.

“People we support have been travelling to the same place for up to 15 years. East Finchley is an area they are not familiar with and moving somewhere new is a big step. Travel training is not achieved overnight but is time-consuming and requires patience.”

Shlomo devised routes for every attendee taking into account not only where they lived but also any physical disability that might hinder progress on foot. This involved researching ideal bus routes and safe road crossings if two buses were required.

Shlomo, with support workers including Linda Wachsmann, Bertha Giordano, Fatmata Jalloh and Tania Roodyn travelled the routes alongside those attending the centre. The people we support will all need to make the journey accompanied several times before feeling confident and safe enough to attempt it on their own.

“While those attending are excited about the new centre, some are nervous about the change, but we will support everyone until they feel comfortable,” he said.

In another confidence-building exercise, five people supported by Kisharon were offered an Able to Travel session, run by the Metropolitan Police, Transport for London and Barnet Council Road Safety Team.

Aimed at those with physical disabilities or learning difficulties, participants travelled on a bus around Edgware experiencing challenging situations with police staff taking on various roles.

Travelling on the bus too was Hadassa Kessler, Principal Social Worker and Day Opportunities Manager who said: “We experienced the theft of a mobile phone, a drunk person and, while waiting at a bus stop, were approached by a man who had lost his dog and wanted one of us to help him find it. These were all made-up situations but after each one we talked about how best to handle incidents like these in order to travel safely.”