Skills scheme is just the job (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Skills scheme is just the job

11:00am Sunday 9th January 2011 in News By Helen Morton

A GROUP, whose staff and volunteers help disabled and disadvantaged people back into work, has been visited by the borough mayor.

Councillor Keith Chapman went to the Shaw Trust Horticultural Project’s Elizabeth Road allotments site in South Ham, where he handed out certificates of achievement to people who have excelled in developing their work skills and confidence.

Thirty-two people received certificates, including Richard Deane, from Overton, who has learning difficulties and is working at the project as part of the Future Jobs Fund.

Mr Deane, 24, said: “I like coming to Shaw Trust because of the friendly people. Mixing with other people helps because of my learning difficulties. I’ve got dyspraxia, which is on the autistic spectrum, and now my social skills are better than they were.”

Mr Deane’s dream is to run his own gardening business one day.

The event not only celebrated the dedication and achievements of those involved in the project but also launched a £10,000 fundraising appeal to provide new tools and equipment which will be used to help more local disabled and disadvantaged people to live more independently and move towards employment.

Thanks to the local Sovereign Kingfisher Housing Association Residents’ Committee, the fundraising started with a bang with a donation of £500 towards additional security work on site.

Nigel Sully, the project team leader, said: “It was fantastic that the mayor was able to join us in celebrating the dedication of our volunteers and the achievements of the people we work with at the project. We hope to achieve even more in 2011 with the continued support of people right across Basingstoke.”