Get Ahead
A new transitions service for young people
Get Ahead – supporting young people into adulthood.
'Get Ahead' is LinkAble’s brand-new programme designed to support young people with additional needs as they take their next steps into adulthood.
We know the journey after education isn’t always straightforward. Many young people with SEND are funded in education or training until age 24, but not everyone wants to keep doing one college course after another. Some want to build independence, others want to contribute to their community, and many aspire to find work or meaningful volunteering opportunities.
That’s where Get Ahead comes in.
Introducing Livability
'Livability' is the first service within Get Ahead (more services to be announced soon!). It’s for young people aged 17–30 years who want to gain confidence, life skills, and practical experience that prepares them for employment, volunteering, or independent living.
Instead of following the same path as everyone else, Livability gives you choice over how you spend your time and how you prepare for the future.
Delivered in small groups with intensive, person-centred support, the programme can be tailored to your own goals and interests. While much of the learning takes place at our welcoming centre in Woking, there are also plenty of opportunities to get out and be active in the community.
Sessions are led by a team of friendly and supportive youth and education professionals, who understand how to connect with young people with additional needs. They create an encouraging environment where everyone feels included, valued, and motivated to take their next steps with confidence.
How It Works
The programme supports people over the course of an academic year. Each day is five hours, structured as:
- Morning session
- Lunch / social activity
- Afternoon session
Participants work in small groups of up to nine, supported by experienced staff members, including youth workers, former teachers, job coaches, and counsellors. The programme is designed to fit around each participant’s needs, offering:
- Flexible entry – you can join in September or January.
- Attendance options – three or five days per week.
- Learning environment – sessions take place both at the centre and out in the community, combining structured learning with real-world experience.
To join
Livability will begin in January 2026. To register your interest, please fill in the form at the bottom of this page. We accept self referrals and referrals from professionals.
Cost
To attend it is £65 per day and you need to be eligible for adult social care or education funding or be able to fund your own place.
Do you want to get involved?
Use the button below to download the Livability referral form. Please complete it and return it to: [email protected]
Livability referral form
What you can chose from
Each term focuses on practical skills and personal goals, including:
Life Skills
- Travel training
- Money management
- First aid
- Food hygiene
- Fire safety
You can gain First Aid and Food Hygiene certificates, which you can use to demonstrate your new skills to future employers.
Health & Wellbeing
- Allotment and gardening projects
- Managing anxiety and growing resilience
- Exercise and healthy living
- Soothing visits to RHS Wisley
These activities help you build confidence, improve your wellbeing, and develop positive habits that support a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
Digital Skills
- Ordering medication online
- Shopping and booking tickets
- Setting up and using email
These skills make everyday tasks easier and give you the confidence to use technology safely and independently. They also help you stay connected, save time, and open up more opportunities in daily life and work.
Financial Skills
- Budgeting and scams awareness
- Opening and using bank/prepaid accounts
- Preparing for work & volunteering
- Vocational profiling – find out what work suits you best
- CV writing and interview practice
You will gain confidence in managing money and making informed financial decisions.
Work experience placements
- Job matching and support to maintain work
- Helping community projects
- Care home visits
- Dog walking for elderly or unwell people
You will gain practical experience through work placements and supported job opportunities.
Taking your next steps
By the end of the programme, participants will be ready for one (or more) of these pathways:
- Paid employment
- Volunteering or community projects
- A supported internship
- A specialist vocational college course (e.g. animal care, horticulture, customer care)
