"The Workshop" - day activities and learning

The Real World Trust provides some constructive daytime activities which are centred around one of our properties in Sandown - known as "The Workshop". 

The Real World Trust states in its philosophy that:

By encouraging independence and choice, residents are exposed to the same physical and emotional risks, as any other people, and therefore cannot be protected from every risk.

and in

Actively encouraging people to make personal choices and to enable them to do so by the provision of information about the services available.

One of the means to achieving the above is in the provision of some constructive daytime activities which are centred around one of our properties in Sandown - known as "The Workshop". 

The Workshop consists of a main building containing training room for computer and social activities and some holistic treatment sessions; a conservatory used for art and craft activities; a woodwork room and a large garden/outdoor area.  There is a "training flat" adjacent.

The activities which take place there include

Use of PC's

• Internet
• Informal introduction to word processing and spreadsheets
• Training sessions leading to European Computer Drving Licence (provided by an external trainer)

Art and craft activity

• Drawing and writing
• Informal art activities (provided by a sessional worker)
• Woodworking (subject to an experienced person being present)

Outdoor activity

• Gardening
• Brick and paving work

Training for work

• Safe use of Tools
• Fire safety
• and other matters for staff and users of the Workshop

Training for independence

• Cooking on a Budget

Although the Workshop exists primarily for the residents of Real World Trust accommodation and users of the services of the Positive Engagement Team, we will consider applications by people referred from other partner agencies who would benefit from the informal ethos.

Applicants are invited to an initial visit and interview including risk/skills assessment. 

A weekly all-day session is held for various activities to which all are welcome.  Other sessions are held by arrangement.

As with much of The Real World Trust, the atmosphere is very informal within certain strictly enforced rules. Those attending the Workshop must agree to the Volunteer Acceptable Behaviour Agreement

We hope to be able to extend the Workshop idea to other schemes we open on the Isle of Wight and are happy to discuss working with other agencies and sessional workers who may wish to become involved.