Art shop helping young adults to learn new skills
NEW BEESTON STORE SELLS WORK FROM LOCAL ARTISTS
A NEW arts and crafts shop has opened in Beeston which supports young people with learning difficulties and complex needs into employment.
The Plane Tree, in High Road, aims to build a bridge from education to employment for young people with additional needs.
The new store sells work from local artists across Nottinghamshire. The Plane Tree is a non-profit organisation which opened with a soft launch on November 16.
The new store is working alongside Nethergate Academy to support young people with training.
Nethergate Academy, in Clifton, is a special school for those with learning difficulties and complex needs. Young people from the school are training with The Plane Tree and have been working since October halfterm to prepare the new business for opening.
Head of upper school at Nethergate Academy, and director of The Plane Tree, Shelly Woods, 53, said the shop wouldn’t be opening without the hard work of the young adults.
She said: “There are currently four young people training with us. They are enrolled on Nethergate Academy’s internship program which prepares young people with additional needs to be work ready and employable.
“Their placement at The Plane Tree has so far involved them in everything relating to setting up the business, from setting up shop to stock management, publicity and retail training on the till.
“It’s true to say the shop would not be opening without their hard work. Having been a special school leader for the last 12 years, I am very aware that with the right support these young people and many others like them are an asset in the world of work.”
“The 5.1 per cent of adults with a learning disability known to their local authority in England are in paid work.
“The aim of the Plane Tree is to connect the community through the arts and to give our trainees the individual skills they need to succeed.”
Shelly continued: “I am really hoping that local employers will get engaged with us and we can work in partnership to ensure our trainees get the best chance at securing a role in the workplace and the community.
“I’m also delighted that the business we have chosen to develop is one that will showcase local artists and crafts people.
“We are not-for-profit and aim to respond to the needs of the community through offering arts workshops and other social events in the future. We can guarantee that our shop assistants will always aim to please, but we are all learning so please be patient with us in these early days.”
Mel Kirk, vocational leader at Nethergate Academy, has praised the young people for all their work in setting up the shop.
She said: “I think it’s been hard but it’s been really good. They’ve been helping put up the furniture, helping with the signage, doing the displays on the shelf, keeping the shop clean, and been putting out the items.
“They’ve been out in the local area, semi-independent and travel here independently, hopefully this will give them the skills they need.”
Trainees James and Declan, who are both 18, shared their excitement as the store had finally reached opening day.
When asked how things had been setting up the shop, James said: “Pretty good, getting out of my comfort zone. I think it will do really well in the future. I like doing stuff and building things. I’m happy but I’m a bit nervous.”
Declan also added: “[It’s been] nice, I can’t wait.”
The shop is open from 10am until 4pm, Tuesday to Saturday. The store may be forced to only accept cash payments in the first week of opening.
The aim is to connect the community through art and give our trainees the skills they need.
Shelly Woods, Nethergate Academy