Supported Apprenticeships: Little Gate Farm
Little Gate Farm is delighted to announce the launch of their Supported Apprenticeship Scheme, following a grant from the National Lottery.
Creating apprenticeships for 50 young people with learning disabilities and autism, the Beckley based charity hopes to bring job prospects and career fulfilment to adults that may have previously felt limited to seek such opportunities.
Recently celebrating its fifth birthday, the local good cause, who aim to enrich the lives of learning disabled, autistic, and vulnerable children and adults in East Sussex, have supported over 40 people with autism and learning disabilities since 2014 into paid work.
Little Gate Farm CEO and founder, Claire Cordell said, “The new apprenticeship scheme means we can find real jobs for our young people aged 16 – 25 with local employers. We are really excited about the opportunities this will bring to local businesses as well as the enrichment it will bring to the apprentices involved.”
Bexhill’s De La Warr Pavilion is one of the first businesses to back the scheme and will be supporting two apprentices in 2019.
Stewart Drew, DLWP CEO, said, “Little Gate Farm’s fantastic Supported Apprenticeship Scheme fits perfectly with the De La Warr Pavilion’s ethos of supporting the local area and giving our young people meaningful opportunities to immerse themselves into the world of work. We’re hugely excited to be involved and are all really looking forward to welcoming our new recruits later this year.”
The scheme will ensure that both the employer and apprentice will be fully supported by a job coach and training provider throughout the funded apprenticeship. From hospitality to business administration, childcare to IT, landscaping to carpentry, the charity is keen to meet with employers who would like to be part of the scheme.
The charity has two apprentices currently working with employers in the local area. Jordan is working towards his Level 2 in Health and Social Care at Southlands Care Home in
Bexhill, and is due to graduate in April. Jordan’s job coach Carol Wells said, “Jordan has grown in confidence. He is caring and compassionate and has overcome many barriers.”
Steven is also working towards his Level 2 in Health and Social Care at Ashridge Court in Bexhill. Caroline Braime from Ashridge Court said, “Steven has a wonderful work ethic and he is an asset to the home’.
Huw Merriman MP is hugely supportive of the programme. Huw said, “I have been working closely with Little Gate Farm since 2015. They are an inspirational local organisation who are fully committed to providing work skills and fulfilling career opportunities for people with learning disabilities and autism. I was delighted to learn that Little Gate Farm has now launched the new Supported Apprenticeships Scheme. I am fully supportive of this inclusive scheme and I am pleased that the De La Warr Pavilion is one of the first local employers to back it. I would encourage local employers to get involved in the scheme to discover how these enthusiastic and hard-working apprentices can be a real asset to their organisation.”
Find out more about the programme and meet Jordan and Steven, as well as the Little Gate Farm team, at the J0bs and Apprenticeships Fair at the De La Warr Pavilion on Friday 5th April or visit www.littlegate.org.uk
About Little Gate Farm
Little Gate Farm is a registered charity located in Beckley, East Sussex. They provide work training and supported employment to help adults with learning disabilities and autism into paid work, which in turn brings financial benefits and increase in self-esteem, physical and mental health. The work training programme offers opportunities to gain new skills and confidence. Work experience is gained at the farm, caring for animals and working on the charity’s horticulture project.
Contact deeflower@littlegate.org.uk / 07498 586343 for more details about the charity and Apprenticeship scheme.
Posted by Caspar Jayasekera on Wednesday 3 April 2019