The success of the partnership will, I hope, encourage more local employers to help those with learning disabilities into the work place.
—Dame Norma Major
Cambridgeshire Mencap is a charity based in Cambridge that provides a range of support services to people with learning disabilities across the county.
The charity runs a vocational catering and hospitality course at St John’s that gives people with learning disabilities the chance to study for a nationally recognised qualification.
The course began in January 2002 when Chris Waters, who was then the development officer for Cambridgeshire Mencap, was looking in the Job Finder section in Cambridge News.
He saw many jobs advertising for catering and domestic staff and it gave him the idea of the catering course.
With the News behind him, he contacted St. John’s College and, with the teaching expertise of Huntingdon Regional College on board, the course began.
This year’s catering students will graduate with a full graduation ceremony in the college on 19 July.
Students gain valuable work experience in the college kitchens and student cafeteria. At the end of the course, they leave with a City and Guilds qualification in employability and personal development, along with a qualification in skills for working life. On top of that, students develop their ICT, numeracy and literacy skills. They also gain valuable life skills such as team work, punctuality, resilience, motivation and problem solving.
Bill Brogan, St John’s Catering and Conference Manager, says the arrangement has been a beneficial one for all involved. “Our team like the Cambridgeshire Mencap students and get on well with them. It’s excellent to see them come here and develop. It’s a good working partnership.”
The course has seen many success stories: Matthew who went on to work in the kitchen of The Old Ferry Boat in Holywell; James who loves working in plate wash at St John’s and Dan working at Huntingdon Garden Centre are all examples of students who have gone on to secure paid employment.
The transition into paid work can be a challenge, though, with some employers not willing to give people with learning disabilities a chance. This is a challenge that the News and Cambridgeshire Mencap want to tackle by inviting more employers to get involved.
Dame Norma Major, Patron of Cambridgeshire Mencap, said: “An important aspect of the work of Cambridgeshire Mencap is to enable those with a learning disability to make the most of all the opportunities that the rest of us so often take for granted. The partnership between St John’s College, Cambridgeshire Mencap and Huntingdon Regional College has made it possible for many young people to receive the training and support they need to find employment in the local community. The success of the partnership will, I hope, encourage more local employers to help those with learning disabilities into the work place.”
Cambridgeshire Mencap are currently fundraising to be able to employ a Job Coach who will act as mentor for students moving into paid employment so that both employer and employee are given adequate support during transition into work. Cambridgeshire Mencap will also take part in the next Cambridge News Job Fair.
The charity would welcome enquires from employers interested in getting involved. For more information contact Emma Holbrook at Cambridgeshire Mencap on 01223 883143 or email emma@cambridgeshiremencap.co.uk
Reproduced courtesy of the University of Cambridge
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