Hi, I am Catherine and I am an Enterprise Advisor for SEMLEP, I support an amazing local Special Needs school with helping them engage with businesses and look at how we can get them into paid work.
Whilst doing this voluntary role, it has become apparent that there is not enough work experience opportunities out there for students that need extra support. I came up with setting up an Allotment, with the aim of getting students to help with the running, growing, planning, team building, as a way of building their own skills that they will need in the market place.
Not only will students gain skills which will help them in their working life, but also skills that they can take home and share with their families. I want our local rural businesses to come and share their skills... and maybe find their new apprentice!!
What will we spend the money on? To begin with we really need a Polly-tunnel and basic tools to start the project off and we can then start growing out veg and fruit.
This is our allotment as it stands today, we have a long way to go, but it is so exciting... I am images of being able to have someone come in and show us how to cook with the produce that we make.
Our Polly-tunnel is just the start of this project, our students will be able to engage with employers, in an environment, where they feel relaxed.