Kids enjoy the great outdoors
Grammar pupils learn life skills
A group of Hamilton Grammar pupils have been participating in a work placement with the Clydesdale Community Initiative (CCI) in Lanark.
Youngsters from the school’s communication development and additional support needs departments have enjoyed planting seedlings, building trellis fences and hunting for bugs.
As well as taking part in these activities, the young people have been developing vital social skills and have been learning about health and safety, while appreciating the opportunity to learn in a work environment and taking responsibility for what they are achieving.
Pupil Lewis Connor of S4 said: “I am enjoying the CCI very much and I’m sure everyone else would say the same thing. It has helped me develop an interest in horticulture and prepare for working life, but has been fun in the process.”
And first-year pupil Hannah Lithgow added: “I found the CCI very interesting. It’s a great place to do new activities and try new things you never thought you could do.”
The programme is part of a ten-day placement.
A school spokesperson said: “The staff and pupils are very grateful to The Autism Innovation and Development Fund and Integrating Children’s Services for supporting us and enabling this very worthwhile activity to take place.”
The CCI are currently on a fundraising drive and are hoping to raise £15,000 within the next month. They plan to establish kitchen facilities which would be open to educational units and as a platform to engage in food-based training, enterprise and inclusion opportunities.
This new project will further enhance what the CCI can offer to the wide range of community members who access their facility. To learn more about the CCI, and to support the cause, go online to www. crowdfunder.co.uk/cci-communitykitchen-growing-opportunities for more details.