Carpentry trainees put skills to good use with custom crafted benches for local charity

The Salvation Army’s Hadleigh Training Centre at Hadleigh Farm and the Anvil Trust are two Christian charities supporting local adults with additional support needs; Hadleigh Training Centre offers courses and accredited qualifications to help improve employability, while the Anvil Trust provides residential care and support.

Hayley Watts, a trustee of the Anvil Trust, said: “It's fantastic when local charities can work together, utilising the skills and resources of each to provide something positive and lasting for others.

“We wanted to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday so we commissioned the carpentry department at Hadleigh Training Centre to make four benches for our residents.

“We are so pleased with the result! We know our residents will enjoy these lovely benches for many years to come - in fact some of our residents helped make the benches as they train here at Hadleigh Farm.”

Lindsay Payne, Lead Employment Development Officer at Hadleigh Training Centre, said: “Here at The Salvation Army we teach our trainees the importance of supporting each other as part of a community. We believe that life skills such as team work and being a good citizen are just as valuable in the world of work as hard skills.

“The fantastic carpentry team has been working hard throughout the summer as part of their training programme, sanding, fixing and varnishing the benches and personalising them with engraved plaques.

 “We were delighted to be able to present the finished benches to the Anvil Trust.”

The Anvil Trust will now deliver the benches to the residents of Andrew House, Anvil Place, Anvil Mews and Anvil House.

The Salvation Army’s Hadleigh Training Centre offers training programmes covering a variety of skills - including carpentry, hospitality, catering, retail and horticulture - across a variety of settings - including Hadleigh Farm’s rare breed centre, Hadleigh Tea Rooms and Hadleigh Park’s Hub Café.

For more information about Hadleigh Training Centre, please contact Lindsay on 01702 426260 or visit www.hadleighfarm.org.uk.