At this time of year and with all the impending expense of the Christmas festivities to cater for, funding good causes can sometimes put a strain on resources but thankfully the sheer hard work of fundraisers and generosity of the great British public makes such a difference to so many charities and deserving good causes. All it takes is communication and working in partnership with those who want to ‘do their bit’ by helping as much as circumstances allow.
One Beckley based local charity, Little Gate, specialises in finding paid employment for adults with learning difficulties and autism by giving them what they need to learn and prepare for their new role, adapt to their new workplace and become a real asset to their employer.
Little Gate offers individuals of all ages supported training, apprenticeships and employment and in addition, there is also support for parents of the trainees through their parent forum and for the younger element a fun filled Little Gate Rangers youth scheme.
David Roder, landlord of the Waterworks micropub in Rye is always keen to support local initiatives, particularly deserving charities, and has elected to make Little Gate this years chosen charity for his pub. The Waterworks customers have dug deep and between them have raised £700, a terrific result, the proceeds being warmly received by Jane Earnshaw, pictured below with Mathew Smith (left) on behalf of Little Gate Farm, together with David’s son Eddie Roder from the Waterworks.
Below is an extract from the Little Gate website published on September 30 2019 entitled Bethany’s story.
“My name is Bethany Doe and I’ve just finished a supported traineeship at the British Heart Foundation in Eastbourne.
I had support from a job coach from Little Gate Supported Employment Team. They supported me by coming with me to the workplace and supported me with any tasks I had to do there. They also supported me with the Education Provider (Andrew Tregear from Smart Training).
They picked me up from the workplace and then drop me home. I could have done public travel training with the job coach but due to my anxiety I didn’t do this.
I think this experience has made me a bit more confident about doing the tasks that’s asked of me. I still need to work on my confidences, but I hope that with support from the job coach for my apprenticeship it will grow.”
Tracey, Bethany’s coach responded by saying,
“Whilst I was supporting Bethany she covered a variety of tasks within the British Heart Foundation, she built good relationships with the staff and was a valued member of the team. Bethany struggled with her anxiety at times but the manager was very kind and caring and offered support and understanding. Bethany was a pleasure to spend time with and support”.
The farm at Little Gate was founded and established in 2013 by Claire Cordell who together with her husband David decided to use their family farm to create a new opportunity to help adults with learning difficulties and autism to gain real employment skills that lead into paid work through supported employment.
On Monday, 11 November they hosted an awards ceremony at the De la Warr Pavilion in Bexhill in recognition of the support given by local businesses and organisations. The awards were hand crafted out of oak and ash from the farm and fashioned into individual awards each bearing a plaque. A total of 17 awards were given to employers for work placements and for supporting candidates, recipients included Hastings Borough Council and the NHS who received the peoples award.
Mathew Smith (pictured above) knows all about working with the NHS for he has already completed 4 out of 8 weeks on work experience at the Conquest Hospital, supported all the way by Jane Earnshaw (also pictured above). Jane is a Rye resident and is the supported employment lead at Little Gate providing support for the candidate in preparation for interview and throughout their work placement, a really important role which takes very special skills, a role which Jane was made for.
After his work experience, Mathew, also a Rye resident, hopes to apply for a six month paid role at the hospital where he will be working with three other successful candidates already employed there.
Little Gate celebrates diversity, anyone can join in their experience and get involved in their social enterprise whether it be buying their fresh cut flowers from the market stall in Hastings Old Town, buying their range of woodland products from Salts Farm in Rye or Browns Farm shop in Robertsbridge or by donating whatever you can afford. I have been invited to meet the team and have a good look around the farm which I will follow up in another article but in the meantime have a look at their website, contact via email at info@littlegate.org.uk or you can phone on 01797 260580.
Image Credits: Jane Earnshaw , David Roder , Nick Forman , Little Gate .