Earlier this week six young people from YMCA Norfolk’s My Place accommodation assisted Onward Enterprises as part of their positive activities programme.
Onward Enterprises, based in Harleston, Norfolk, is a contract packaging and fulfilment company ‘with a difference’ – offering hands on industry-specific training to adults with disabilities. Across their two sites, they work with over 100 adults – providing a supported working environment for those who might usually struggle with the pressures of the industry.
Chelsea Howe, YMCA Norfolk Housing Engagement Worker, and Sharon Greener, Housing Manager, accompanied the young people from My Place to the warehouse, where they volunteered their time to support staff on the production line and engaged with employees.
Sharon said: “Each YMCA Norfolk young person was assigned to an adult, where they would work alongside one another throughout the day, undergoing various tasks. The young people clocked in and out as the employees did, so they had the full experience of working in a factory environment.”
“I was so proud of how our young people conducted themselves during their time at Onward Enterprises. They were given a great insight into the working environment of a production line and communicated well with all adults with learning difficulties. My aim was to show our residents that people struggling with all types of disabilities can flourish, and I think they definitely took this away with them.”
The group of young people attended the morning as part of their positive activities programme – an important way of engaging with the YMCA Norfolk service, in order to build a wide range of skills, and heighten their self-esteem before living independently.
Chelsea, YMCA staff member who is based at My Place, said: “Positives activities such as the visit to Onward Enterprises are really important for our young people because it teaches them empathy towards others, particularly those with learning difficulties or mental health problems. It also provides them with an element of training, should they wish to go into this industry.”
My Place residents have also been visiting Bowthorpe Care Village on a weekly basis, which is “a great way into care work and working with the elderly,” Chelsea added.
To find out more about our My Place accommodation, please click here.