Our Supported Employment Service leaps into spring

Optalis’ Supported Employment Service (SES) has leapt into spring with a new employment-focused education session as part of their Pathways into Employment course (which began in February), called ‘A Day in the Life of a Gardener’.

The service, in partnership with Wokingham Community Learning Centre, is running these education courses for clients covered under the Disability Provision of the Equality Act 2010. This act also covers carers and people with substance misuse issues.

The session, which took place on March 20, was facilitated by the service’s own staff; tutor Ann Smith and job coach Simon Shaughnessy. Attendees were able to explore first-hand what it might be like to run a florists through a guest speaker – local florist Tania Lewis from Cherubs Floral Design Limited, which is based in Caversham and in Broad Street in Reading.

Tania said: "I’m not used to giving talks, but I really enjoyed sharing my passion for floristry with the group today. The clients and staff from Optalis made me feel very welcome and they asked lots of questions. I would love to see any photos if anyone actually decides to have a go at flower arranging after my demonstration that day!”

SES deputy manager Donna Morgans said: “Tania was a great person to be our guest speaker. She was positive and enthusiastic, and our attendees thought the session overall was very informative. They’ve come away with a real understanding of what it might be like to work as a florist and, hopefully, they’ve been given some inspiration to think about working in this, and similar fields.”