No Ordinary Care Provider

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1 Minstead, Hampshire Our aims are to: Assist students to develop in maturity and independence Help students grow in confidence and realise their full potential Equip students with skills that they can use in living and working environments

2 No Ordinary Care Provider The Minstead Training Project is an independent registered charitable organisation offering transitional training in life, social and work skills to adults who have learning disabilities. The Project has a unique style of providing high quality care and is committed to excellence. Our comprehensive training and therapeutic environment aims to enhance students quality of life by strengthening self esteem and developing maturity, self respect and independence. A combination of residential facilities, workshops, nursery and gardens provide a diverse range of training opportunities to give the students maximum scope to grow towards meaningful, fulfilling and independent lives. Flexible Services Some students are residential and some live independently in local towns, supported by our team of support staff, attending the project in combination with work experience and the other activities of daily living. Many other join the residents on a daily basis to take advantage of the varied and purposeful activities that we offer. We also offer a respite service. Our services: Residential One Year Residential Intensive Independent Living Skills Course Supported living Day opportunities Respite stays

3 Attending the Minstead Training Project for Day Opportunities Our day services are vital for people with learning disabilities as they provide opportunities to: Connect with the community Make friends, therefore reducing isolation Learn new skills Promote independent living Achieve ambitions Have fun! In addition daytime activities give carers and family members some respite from caring. All students who come to the Minstead Training Project have the opportunity to take part in a diverse range of daytime learning experiences. Non residential students can choose to attend as little or as often as they wish from one half day a week to five days a week (subject to availability). We are open to suggestions from students and will always try to meet individual needs, aspirations and interests. If you have a particular request for an activity which we do not currently provide, feel free to ask whether we can organise it. Currently we offer: Independent Living Skills Training Sessions Horticulture Wood workshop Catering Pottery Art and craft Music and drama Photography Animal husbandry Literacy/ICT/numeracy Rural studies

4 The Horticultural Service The Project provides a full range of horticultural experience and training. Through work students learn new skills in all aspects of horticulture including: Therapeutic horticultural work Fruit and vegetable growing in the walled garden, large greenhouses, and well equipped classrooms in Minstead Lodge Nursery plant production, greenhouse work and sales in the nursery and shop at Furzey Gardens Landscaping and garden maintenance in the extensive grounds of Minstead Lodge and with Sheltered Work Teams at Furzey Gardens Training for work Students whose potential includes open or sheltered employment are given practical work training and related knowledge. There are several indoor work areas including two classrooms equipped with a good selection of appropriate modern teaching aids. The training is not aimed necessarily at producing horticultural workers but rather to provide a sympathetic environment in which to learn the type of work skills that are required for a range of employments. Time keeping, sustaining a working day, concentrating on the task in hand, following instructions, developing workplace relationships and decision making are all vital skills which the students need to develop if they are to go on to some kind of employment. Elements of the ICAN award in horticultural skills are used to assess levels of achievement and progress. Gardening is well recognised as an excellent therapeutic and occupational/leisure activity. Its fulfilling and purposeful activities are opportunities for real achievement. Skills and selfesteem gained in the gardens are often reflected in increased confidence and independence in general life. For some students, working towards qualifications and/or employment is not the prime objective. These students find a supportive and supervised environment at Minstead that encourages them to develop skills and meet new challenges.

5 The Wood Workshop The workshop is a safe and fulfilling work environment in which students learn and develop a wide range of woodworking skills. They are trained to use hand and power tools and some items of machinery; the emphasis is always on safe working practices. The workshop staff guide students through the workshop programmes to achieve elements of the ICAN award scheme. Students may also work towards achieving modules of the OCR level 3 Certificate in Manufacturing which involves making products, investigating safety issues and planning schedules of work. Students are encouraged to work to high standards so that they produce products of quality. They suggest and produce their own individual pieces such as CD racks, bookshelves and cupboards. Students also contribute to group projects in the garden furniture range which includes benches and tables, planters, bird tables and boxes. Most of the woodwork needs of Furzey Gardens are met by students from the Project. The Project has built a healthy reputation for quality and students are justifiably proud of their ability to produce saleable products.

6 Catering and Hospitality The Project offers a wide variety of experiences in catering and hospitality. Students have the opportunity to : Prepare food and drink for visitors to the Project s conference facilities Bake cakes and make sandwiches for the Tea Rooms at Furzey Gardens Prepare meals for fellow students and staff Work in the section is geared towards giving students a realistic experience of working in a busy professional catering team. If a student wishes to take this further he/she is helped to access appropriate training courses in catering and hospitality at a local college. Previous residential students who now live in the community supported by our support workers have gained NVQ 2 Catering and have secured work experience and paid part time work. As well as catering skills students learn how to work in a team, to deal with time constraints and about the pressures of catering for groups of people in a small, friendly yet professional environment. Once again elements of the ICAN awards scheme are used to assess levels of achievement and progress. Students who work in the Catering Section get a great sense of achievement in seeing visitors, other students and staff enjoying the food that they have prepared.

7 Art, Craft, Pottery and Photography The Pottery offers small groups of students the opportunity to explore their creativity and practical skills through the use of clay. Students learn about the full range of handbuilding techniques as well as practising on the pottery wheel. They are encouraged to think creatively about the design of their work and produce sculptoral pieces as well as functional items. Sessions are tailored to the particular interests and skills of each person and visits are made to local pottery studios and elsewhere for inspiration. Some of the students' work can be seen at Furzey Cottage and Gallery, including a large tile wall hanging, jointly made by over 70 students and staff to mark the opening of the extended exhibition area. Art and craft workshops are a very popular element of our daytime provision. Students are introduced to a wide range of creative activities such as sculpture, painting, drawing, needlework and photography. Individuals are encouraged to pursue their own interests and develop their own style through experimenting with different media.

8 Independent Living Skills Sessions Emphasis is placed on developing effective relationships with others, together with taking responsibility for own welfare and leisure time. The sessions include the following: Money management and banking Basic hygiene Shopping Cooking Personal hygiene Travel training Advocacy Building self confidence Social skills and appropriate behaviour Use of community amenities Rural Studies and Animal Husbandry The setting in the beautiful unspoilt village of Minstead provides an excellent opportunity for students to learn about the environment and about our interaction with it. With the New Forest on our doorstep, students are ideally placed to develop knowledge of, and respect for the surroundings. Minstead Lodge has an ever increasing number of rescue hens that are usually to be found scratching about in the shrubberies surrounding the Lodge. Students may learn how to look after the hens and geese at Minstead Lodge and the four alpacas and donkeys at Furzey Gardens.

9 Music and Drama Workshops Participation in drama groups is another very popular activity which increases confidence and self esteem. Students and staff have lots of fun and the students put on frequent performances for a variety of audiences. Literacy, Numeracy and ICT Literacy, numeracy and ICT studies are based on individual need and are regularly reviewed and assessed by the tutors and other members of staff. Sessions are short to maximise concentration and are designed to be encouraging and motivational. Teaching is usually on a one to one basis and is carefully planned to be interesting and topical. Each student s tuition is tailored to meet his/her changing needs and in most cases is linked to other work in the Project such as landscape or material measurement, cooking, shopping and plant pricing. A dedicated ICT room has Internet access and six computers with associated peripherals including some equipment for disabled users. A specialist ICT tutor develops individual training programmes and provides students with ICT familiarity often using specialised software. Much of the learning process in this subject is also designed to relate to the development of practical skills.

10 Leisure Pursuits Students have an ever increasing range of leisure pursuits from which to choose. These have included concerts and discos, swimming, sea fishing, walking, rock climbing and abseiling, visiting museums, the public library and cinemas and taking supervised holidays both at home and abroad. Although some are organised by the residential students themselves others are coordinated by staff and take place during the day. These activities are available to non residents, space permitting. We are always open to suggestions from students if a group of students want to do a particular activity and we have staff and resources available then we will do our best to organise it. A large new recreation room provides the opportunity for informal socialising throughout the day. The room is situated close to the work areas and is accessed by all students. It is equipped with a snooker table, table football and gymnasium equipment. A sense of community and friendship is also fostered in the communal dining room. Everyone meets daily for lunch and staff, visitors and students alike look forward to the opportunity to catch up, share food and laughter. A covered swimming pool has recently been completed and is beloved of students on warm afternoons. Football matches are also very popular and eagerly anticipated.

11 The Minstead Training Project is a very special place We are proud to provide outstanding care. The Project has been established for 25 years and has been recognized as achieving Excellent Service Levels by the registration authority. We are also proud of our committed, experienced, qualified staff who choose to work for the Project and stay for years.. The difference between the Project and other places that I have worked is the ethos an atmosphere, a sense of magic that you can see, hear and feel. And boy, do we have some fun while we get the work done! Annie, Independent Living The Project, founded on a Christian ethos, is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds and we strive to meet individual cultural and spiritual needs. Everyone at the Project is expected to regard their work as a way of life, embracing an attitude of love and care for others. Put simply; the human touch that we all crave. Application Process for Day Opportunities Normally the process for applications is as follows: 1. An informal visit the applicant or other involved parties may then complete an application form to request a taster day 2. If appropriate a taster day will be offered 3. At the end of a taster day feed back is given, and the suitability of the service and support we can provide is discussed. If all are in agreement, a place will be offered, together with an indication of the fees. The Minstead Training Project represents exceptional value for money Our services are priced according to individual need. All provision includes a midday meal and refreshments. Transport to and from Totton is provided. Holidays The Minstead Training Project operates throughout the year with one week breaks at Christmas and Easter.

12 Opportunities We always have vacancies for daytime opportunities, although as we provide small groups and individual attention some activities have a waiting list. Please enquire, as we strive to meet student needs and aspirations and will try to provide extra groups if enough demand exists. Please contact Lucio on Visit our website to find out more info@minsteadtp.org Minstead Lodge, Minstead, Lyndhurst, Hampshire, SO43 7FT