Brandon Trust Vocational Training Projects

Investment for Change Funding

Project Name: Brandon Trust Vocational Training Projects
Project Start Date: 01/09/07
Project End Date: 31/03/08

BACKGROUND:

Following discussions with John Brookham, the attached provides a pilot overview for a range of new vocational training projects that the Brandon Trust aim to deliver across the West of England from September 2007.

Exit Strategy: As part of Brandon’s franchise agreement, these projects can be directed to the 2 local colleges that Brandon works in partnership with. However, in 2008, Brandon will also look to apply directly to the LSC to become a direct preferred provider.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

As part of our ongoing working relationship with various partners we have developed 3 new projects to deliver vocationally accredited qualifications within, whilst working in partnership with local communities to develop 3 new vibrant social enterprises that will become an asset within the local and business community.

1. Hutton Moor Allotments

North Somerset Council approached Brandon Trust for support in taking over the running of approx 2 acres of allotment sites at Hutton Moor, Weston. Whilst interested in the project Brandon were keen to seek wider involvement from the allotment sub-committee and other stakeholders in order to produce a clear business case.

It was felt that the wider involvement with the stakeholders will bring forward a range of options of developing a community project and training programme for both disabled people and other social excluded people based at the allotment.

Initial discussions indicated that this project would be supported by North Somerset Council, Weston College and local groups such (incl. local residents attempting to generate positive activities in the area). An expression of interest by Brandon was presented to the Allotment Sub committee in January 2005, who accepted our outline proposal. It was agreed that we could commence legal proceedings regarding the transfer of the lease in respect of the allotment site, which is now complete.

In addition, Brandon have visited the site with identified contractors regarding the placing of the necessary training units that would be required in order to run the provision from the site and has since applied and received planning permission for these units to be positioned on the site.

1.1 Course Details

The accredited training provided will be National Proficiency Test Council Entry level horticulture, construction and retail courses.

Mon & Tues Entry Level Horticulture 6 Learners
Wed & Thur Entry Level Horticulture 6 Learners
Tuesday Entry level Construction 6 Learners
Friday Entry level Retail 6 Learners
Making a total of 24 learners per week.

1.2 Expenditure

From similar projects created and established by The Brandon Trust, it is envisaged that the project would cover any typical support system. In addition, it’s envisaged that as with other projects funding would be used to invest in the equipment and facilities at the site, which would be essential in the success of the project. Such items for investment would include Polytunnels and/or greenhouses to develop the site and services. All capital expenditures would use existing Brandon Trust guidelines and Standing Financial Instructions.

2. Brandon@Turnberries

Brandon were approached by South Gloucestershire Council to see if we were interested in running a community café in a new Community Centre in Thornbury. The new building would also house the re-provision of the service that is currently provided at Siblands RAC and replace the current youth centre buildings in the town. The building itself will be managed by a new voluntary trust, The Thornbury Building Community Trust (TCBT).

Over the past 12 months, we have worked with South Glos Council and a local consultant in designing the kitchen and café which opened in May 2007.

The project will be our third café and is linked to the Park Centre café (a café based in Kingswood) and Brandon@Town Hall a catering service provided at The Town Hall in Weston-super-Mare. The service has 2 core objectives:

1.To produce and provide high quality food and refreshments at great value for money, using local providers and fair-trade suppliers, where possible, whilst offering a varied range of healthy options.

2. As a social enterprise we provide a work-based training environment for people with learning disabilities to learn and gain vocational skills and nationally accredited qualifications.

2.1 Course Details

From September 2007 three NPTC entry level courses per week will be run from the café,

Mon & Tues NPTC Catering 6 Learners
Wed & Thur NPTC Catering 6 Learners
Friday NPTC Retail 6 Learners
Making a total of 18 students per week

2.2 Expenditure

3. Teignmouth Garage

Folllowing ongoing developments with the Brandon Trust, in 2006 we piloted a 1 year car maintenance course based at William Knowles. Following this course and taking it’s learning together with our ongoing aspiration to develop employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities we explored further the opportunity to establish a car valeting social enterprise.

Having spoken with various employers and business partners in respect of the avenue towards employment. We actively sought out a suitable premises to run this service from. It soon became apparent that the ideal situation would be to work in partnership with a local firm to help develop and compliment their current services.

The garage space came up as an opportunity to work in partnership with Teignmouth Rd mechanics. We met to discuss our objectives, and priorities and have agreed that in partnership, we will be able to compliment each other businesses and can enhance the range of services availability within the local community.

3.1 Course Details

From September 2007 three NPTC entry level courses per week will be run from the café,

Mon & Tues NPTC vehicle Maintenance Entry 6 Learners
Wed & Thur NPTC Vehicle Maintenance Entry 6 Learners
Friday NPTC Vehicle Maintenance Entry 6 Learners
Making a total of 18 students per week

3.2 Expenditure

Based on similar projects created and aligned to both Hutton Moor and Turnberries projects, It’s envisaged that the project would need to cover any typical support system. In addition, it’s envisaged that as with other projects funding would be used to invest in the equipment and facilities at the site, which would be essential in the success of the project and cost of overhead and central management costs.

DELIVERY ASPECTS

The training projects will be managed and operated in the same wasy as other successful training programme currently ran by Brandon trust in partnership with City of Bristol College and Weston College at various sites across the West of England.

The new services are based upon the successful models within Brandon’s other 13 Emerging Social Enterprise within Bristol and North Somerset, whereby each of the schemes aims to train individuals and where appropriate remunerate their contribution to the project in order to enhance their feeling of self worth, status and independence.

Who are the services for

Our promotion of the project is to people currently attending local training courses, people who use Social Services funded Day Centres and will follow a successful process used by Brandon for the recruitment of students.

This project will build a local infrastructure which compliments existing services based within the West of England.

Lease Issues

Lease/Licence Agreements have been agreed for both Hutton Moor and Turnberries, Teignmouth Rd Garage is currently being drafted for formal agreement. However, there is no concern surrounding the commencement of these projects by September 2007 as discussed.