THE VEHICLE MAINTENACE PROJECT
OLD STREET MOTORS

Brandon Trust has leased one half of a Motor Vehicle repair premesis to enable people with Learning Disabilities to gain entry level qualifications in Vehicle Maintenance this is a unique project and a brilliant opportunity for the people we support.

We are delivering National Proficiency Test Council qualifications at Entry level 2 to 5 students on Mondays and Tuesdays and to 5 students on Wednesday and Thursday.
It is intended that a car valeting business will be developed on Fridays.

We have students from as far a field as Weston-Super-Mare and Burnham-on-sea, they all make their way to Clevedon independently.

The students have been enthralled by the activities at the garage, they are very interested in the variety of vehicles and the work being done. The opportunity for them to mix and chat with the mechanics is being encouraged by all concerned, the mechanics enjoy our company and revel in a chat with the students at lunch time.

Already we are getting known and welcomed into the local community and the fact that there is no ‘label’ above the door has a resounding effect on everyone’s self-esteem.

The students tell me they like to come to the garage and they enjoy the work, we think that our part of Old Street Motors is a happy place to work. We must of course have a regular supply of doughnuts which is considered to be essential part of ‘best practice’.

I feel that this project and projects like it are ideal for integrating people with Learning Disabilities into the main stream work environment and it addresses recommendations in the governments White Paper ‘Valuing People’.

Comments from a couple of students:

Jonathan: "I enjoy coming I like being with the guys and I would like to be mechanic."
John Abrahams:"I like to keep busy, I like to wash cars, I enjoy learning how to take a wheel off."

Mike Griffin
Senior Project Worker

Helen Nethercott
Project Worker

Emlyn Weeks
Project Worker