Redwood students breaking new ground

Redwood students taking part in the pilot work experience programme

A work experience programme for young people with disabilities to deliver various gardening and community projects across the borough has been launched.

The young people taking part are predominantly students from Redwood Secondary School’s Sixth Form department. This first year pilot programme aims to provide a true work-place scenario for the students to experience as part of their ‘Life Skills’ curriculum over the next twelve months which prepares them to be as independent as possible.

Youth Service Worker, David Willmore said: “Using a collaborative approach, the project will make a real difference to the lives of some of our most vulnerable residents in the borough. Placement students benefit in that they will learn invaluable skills that will hopefully be used to help them find employment and reach their individual goals.”

The programme is a partnership between Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) and Rochdale Council Youth Service funded by Short Breaks.

Potential sites have been identified by RBH Neighbourhood Housing Officer, Nazia Zia, which could particularly benefit from the project. The first site on Belfield Road was selected following the tenant, Miss Blackwell’s, request for support with her garden maintenance.

Miss Blackwell, herself partially-sighted, whilst her son, Jobie, is one of the Redwood Students taking part in the project, said:

“I have the gardening tools but just didn’t know where to start. I am so grateful to all the students, they have worked so hard! They have made a tremendous difference and I will be able to keep on top of it now.”