Ballymoney

Clare Cushnahan, Project Co-ordinator, explained: “WE CAN is a training programme which aims to provide trainees (adults with Learning Disabilities, Mental Health and Autism) with the necessary skills to move on into work.

“The work that we all do through the social enterprises not only means trainees learn new skills and experiences but it also plays a vital role in providing a service to the community through the social enterprises Can Can Recycling, Can Can Upcycling and Can Can Bazaar.

“Staff work closely with trainees to encourage and motivate them in learning and developing new skills. Trainees have learnt skills such as warehousing, painting, sanding, customer service, retail and many more. As well as this they develop skills in team work and build confidence, which are all skills which help build on your CV and will help in moving towards finding work.

“As well as the on the job training that we offer at WE CAN, our trainees complete modules and gain certificates accredited through ASDAN to acknowledge their experiences and learning.”

The trainees gained certificates in modules such as Work Awareness, Time Management and Self Organisation, World of Work and the Employability qualification. Over the last six months, WE CAN also had the opportunity to offer training through an external organisation People Plus NI.This training included Customer Service and Manual Handling and supports the work done through social enterprises. For more information on the WE CAN programme visit www.compasspeople.org or call (028) 276 67775.The project is funded by ESF (European Social Fund) Department of Communities and NHSCT.