Vocational training

Our specialist training centre at the Lodge, Norman Park, offers disabled adults the opportunity to learn new skills to prepare them for employment in three key areas – horticulture, catering and cycle maintenance.

Our Facilitators guide participants through individual, person-centred courses, which includes a mix of classroom learning, practical work experience and certificated learning. This provides the skills required to seek employment with the support of our employment specialists.

Catering Course

Learn how to run our Norman Park kiosk; classroom sessions include kitchen safety, food hygiene, stock rotation, stock management and customer service skills. Participants undertake work experience in our café with the support of trained staff and volunteers and complete certificated learning in food hygiene, first aid and health and safety.

Horticulture Course

Learn how to run a professional horticulture project; classroom sessions include planning for planting, knowledge of produce that can be grown, seasonal variations and the ongoing maintenance and development of the landscaped plot. Participants undertake practical work experience in the garden with the support of trained staff and volunteers and complete certificated learning in health and safety, first aid and tool safety and maintenance.

Cycle Maintenance

Learn how to maintain and service a bicycle; classroom sessions include learning about bike mechanics, how bikes work and what needs to be done to service and maintain them. Participants have ‘hands-on’ work experience in our cycle workshop and work on donated bikes to bring them up to standard to sell and hire. Certificated learning includes courses in first aid, tool safety and maintenance.

Download our leaflet here.