As the academic year ends for Skills Bridge students and we want to reflect on all that they have achieved this past year.
Throughout the year, Skills Bridge students have had the opportunity to take part in many exciting trips which have helped them increase their confidence, learn new skills and develop independence. One of the trips which students still talk about is visiting the Marks and Spencer’s archive in Leeds. Here we discovered how the brand has grown and changed over the years. In terms of visits, we have had the pleasure of working with the Learning Sanctuary. With the Learning Sanctuary, students have enjoyed going on wellbeing walks with the dogs and some of the animals, such as lizards and ferrets have been brought into wellbeing sessions.
In the month of June, we celebrated all things Pride. In outcomes lab, the supported interns focused on workplace rights and entitlements and how they relate to LBGTQ+. In enterprise sessions, the students made vanilla scented Pride candles and wax melts (which you can purchase from the Harrogate Chocolate Factory Café). In PSHE, students looked at LGBTQ+ and how it has developed over time, with a focus on milestones and protected characteristics. Within cooking sessions, students worked as a team to create a Pride themed cheesecake, focusing on the different colours of the pride flag. Throughout the month, we focused on a different member of the LGBTQ+ community, giving students the opportunity to find out more about people who are advocates for the LGBTQ+ community. Information about support available for students was also displayed throughout North Barn for those who wished to seek further support.
We also wanted to take the opportunity to celebrate all our students' outstanding achievements this year. Over the past year, the students have continued to show increased confidence and independence with us, as well as continued progress towards each of their outcomes. One of our PLC students was put forward for the ‘most improved learner’ award at the PLC awards ceremony and won! What an amazing achievement for this student.
We would like to say an enormous thank you to our employers who have continued to provide work placement opportunities to our students throughout the year. These are The Old Swan Hotel, Susie Junes Café, Harrogate Hospital, Harrogate Fair Trade Shop, Carols Bonnie Dogs, Starling Café, St Peter’s Primary School, Yorkshire Cancer Research Charity Shop, Follifoot Riding School, Richard Taylor Primary School and Geek Retreat. Their partnership with us has allowed us to give our learners real work experience.
Our Hive at Skills Bridge has had another successful year on the Rise2Thrive Trailblazer project funded through Better Connect. Two participants achieved paid employment whilst others were able to access 1-1 support with job searching and accessing employability programmes. Participants commented on the support received, saying "seeing my keyworker and given me and my family confidence that I can access help to where I want to go in the future which is needed" and "How quickly I have been able to find work". We are pleased to announce this funding has been secured for a further year!
The Harrogate Chocolate Factory this year has taught many students the importance of food hygiene, workplace behaviour and how to safely use machines. Some students have been doing the supervisory check sheet to make sure the factory is in running order and even helping train some of their newer colleagues. The chocolate factory this year also has some very exciting news as they launched their BRAND NEW Milk Chocolate bar in July. The process for the milk chocolate is slightly different to that of our bean to bar chocolate, so students will be busy in the new academic year learning this new process.
In the Harrogate Chocolate Factory Café, we have continued to be a welcoming space for new and regular customers. Our shop is still offering locally sourced items and customers can now buy handmade items that our Day Centre and enterprise sessions have created. We continue to have a weekly selection of sweet treats from Two’s Company, Balterzens and our Day Centre. We are continuing to support our leaners to gain valuable customer service skills, barista skills and teamwork in a café environment.
We would like to thank all our students for all the hard work and congratulate them for the achievements that they have made this year!
