The Links

The Links is on Brinkburn Road and is one of the day opportunities people in the Learning Disability Service can go to.

One of the people who goes there tells us about it.

I am Linda O’Neil. When I first came to the Links I was very shy and nervous with no confidence in myself.

I have a problem with my speech this is why I find it hard to talk to people.  I worried that people would not be able to understand me.

I have changed a lot since starting at the Links.

I have made lots of close friends, and improved a lot with my speech. I have learned to make sentences and now find the confidence to talk to people I have just met.

Since I was a little girl I have had a fear of water, now I am learning to swim with help. I swim at the Dolphin Centre every week.

I also go to fitness classes. I make my own way there and back each week. This is a great achievement.

My goal is to work in a shop. To make this happen I am starting college to learn to read and write. I will have help with this to make it possible.

I have come a very long way since my first day at the Links and we hope that many more people would like to follow in my footsteps.