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Watching learners grow... Step Ahead Garden Project

Watching learners grow...Step Ahead Garden Project

Tim Jukes, Project Officer, Beacon Centre, “ The group have worked really hard on the garden project and have gained social skills and life skills from being involved with Beacon Centre for the Blind.We hope these projects will continue to support the community and raise awareness of the environment for future generations”

Nine learners from Steps to Work, aged 16-18 have been working on a summer garden project with Beacon Centre for the Blind, a charity that helps people with sight loss live fuller and more

independent lives. The project has enabled unemployed NEETs (Not in employment, education or training) gain experience in working with a mixture of generations and visually impaired people, giving them new skills and a better understanding of disability.

The project has given the learners so much more than just any work experience, the group have gained confidence, self esteem and communication skills which have been vital to the youngsters development and social skills.

Whilst working with the Beacon Centre, learners have been encouraged to get involved and live the life of a visually impaired person. The

training gave the learners what the implication of sight loss means in practical terms, and helped them understand the mobility needs of people with a visual impairment. All 9 learners where awarded a certificate in Sensory Awareness, adding to their skills and qualifications that remain with them for life.

The Beacon Centre have been keen to work with the Step Ahead learners and have since created a project in clearing a piece of over grown land on Boundary Way Allotment in Wolverhampton.

The project will see the learners become hands on in clearing litter, weeding and removing overgrown shrubs, creating a area for residents to sit and enjoy.

The Step Ahead youngsters will be planting vegetables and planting a small cottage garden area, as well building a scarecrow from recyclable materials. The learners are creating their own area which will be ready for  sowing seeds next year, encouraging wildlife into the area.

All of the learners and tutors are looking forward to seeing the end result next season, when the site should be developed and being enjoyed by the community.