Project: Wyldwoods

Working towards employability: Unlocking the potential of people with disabilities

Wyldwoods is a training provider based in the Shropshire hills, where learners can take part in a variety of rural and outdoor activities specifically designed for those with learning and other disabilities. Wyldwoods received an ESF community grant to deliver a rural training project, with participants meeting once a week over a six-week period. The project aimed to empower the individual through developing skills, improved self-understanding, value and responsibility in preparation for employment.





Project feature

wyldwoodsWyldwoods is a rural training facility offering creative arts for wellbeing for adults with disabilities and people in need of special support to help get back into work or training. It was set up by Stephanie Brett, a teacher who specialises in special needs provision, to meet the needs of disadvantaged individuals through practical, rural experiences. With a focus on outdoor practical arts and rural craft activities, a six-week programme is delivered by tutors with experience in teaching traditional crafts and supported by local volunteers. Some of the volunteers have personal experience of disabilities and the project offers them the opportunity to further develop their strengths while helping others.

Where possible, the project teaches tangible skills to help participants move towards entering employment. Initially, however, they target soft skills such as helping people express themselves, and take the time to find out what people need and want to achieve. Although they work within a group, each member of the group is treated as an individual, and particular effort is made to find ways to engage each participant.

Anne-Marie Lagram, the ESF project coordinator, elaborated on the philosophy behind the work that they do.  She said: 'education through the natural elements encourages looking, observing and feeling. Great progress can be made in small ways. You do so little to get so much.’

In addition to training in arts, crafts and traditional skills (e.g. building 'hides' or wooden structures, making felt, or woodworking), participants are encouraged to take responsibility by adopting an aspect of ongoing maintenance while they are there, for example, caring for the animals kept on site. Wyldwoods includes a herb garden, chickens, vegetables, a small orchard and a large area of natural meadow and woodland. Indoor activities are held in an open design stables conversion or Mongolian yurt, both of which have a sense of integration with the environment. All activities are designed to emphasise the individual’s power of expression and the environment creates a stimulus for learning.

The belief that everyone has a voice and needs to be heard underpins all aspects of the project. Helping each person express themselves – whether vocally, through body language or other means – is a fundamental feature of the programme. In this beautiful, natural environment, the project gives each individual space to discover and articulate their inner voice. The result is that participants come away, in Anne-Marie’s words, ‘with a feeling that they have value and have something to give’ and with a stronger sense of the contribution they can make to the group. This is a potent example of how empowering the individual enhances the collective, when each person is able to express themselves – and thus contribute – more fully.




Contact details

Stephanie Brett, Project Manager
Wyldwoods
Dean Corner Farmhouse Broseley , Shropshire, TF12 5JH
(01952) 884224, (07816) 113539




Key project message

Directed rural activities conducted in a natural environment can provide a safe, healthy focus through which to support people with learning and other disabilities to find a sense of self-worth and responsibility, leading to better employability.




Project impact

Sarah Johnston was referred to the project after she lost her job in a commercial flooring factory. She soon became depressed and experienced high levels of anxiety which prevented her from taking on permanent work. She was advised that volunteering might be a good route to help move her towards being more work ready. Sarah describes herself when she first came to Wyldwoods as introverted and isolated from people, and with low levels of self-esteem and confidence. She came to the project first as a participant in the programme and then stayed on to help others, working with adults with learning difficulties. As her confidence grew, she came out of her shell, began communicating more effectively with people, and decided that she would like to work towards becoming a teaching assistant.

She describes Wyldwoods as an environment for healing and learning. She said: ‘it creates a calmness and a tranquility, when you come here.’ She feels safe in the environment, as if ‘nothing can harm’ her. During her time at Wyldwoods she became more outgoing and direct, and began to feel more in control, even when encountering setbacks in her health. ‘I’ve been able to grow with myself, to gain more confidence and self-esteem. I feel part of society rather than dismissed, in a corner,’ said Sarah.

Wyldwoods case studies

A selection of case studies from the project.



Project promotional materials

Wyldwoods downloadables

A collection of downloadable content from the project.



Key data

  • Region: West Midlands
  • Sub-regions: Shropshire
  • Objective: Competitiveness and employment
  • Priority area: 1: Extending employment opportunities
  • Themes:
    • Not applicable
  • Co-financer: Skills Funding Agency and West Midlands Leaders Board
  • Lead partner: Wyldwoods
  • Partner organisations: Wyldwoods, The West Midlands Leaders Board, Skills Funding Agency West Midlands
  • Key sectors:
  • Activities:
  • Key target groups:
    • Community grant
  • Funding: Community grant
  • Start date: 01/02/2009
  • End date: 01/09/2009
  • Project web site: http://www.wyldwoods.co.uk