We work hard to enable service users to become active participants in their local communities.
We have built bridges with the local town councils of Bolsover and Amber Valley and are regularly engaged with them as they provide local community colleges of Sutton College and Alfreton Education Centre, which offer free courses in Maths and English. We have also established links with Sutton College, which supports students with mental health conditions. Lessons are taught at the college or at Storthfield House. We have had a number of service users taking lessons in painting and decorating, DIY, woodwork, gardening and cooking skills. Service users have gained a number of qualifications and certificates of achievement, which are presented at an awards evening at the local college.
Our service users have also been supported in attending Alfreton Adult Education Centre. There they are able to enrol to improve their English and Maths with other students from the community. We further maintained links with services such as Clowne Farm, who specialise in working with clients with learning, physical disabilities or mental health conditions. Clowne Farm in partnership with Excell has been able to provide work based courses to enable service users to gain qualifications in land based operations. Many clients have also enrolled in the local libraries of South Normanton and Alfreton, utilising resources within the community including accessing the internet café independently.
Services users regularly take part in the annual five-a-side football league. At the end of each season, our service users are presented participation trophies at Derby County football ground. We also have access to local gyms and swimming clubs.
At Storthfield House we understand that engagement in leisure activities provide an excellent opportunity to feel part of the wider community and as such to be socially included in the day to day activities. Our service users have the opportunity to access local amenities on a regular basis including swimming facilities, gym, badminton, golf ranges, coffee shops and shopping outlets. Service users also have opportunities to visit local places of interest as part of our very popular walking groups.
We also encourage service users to pursue a variety of activities that bring joy and fun such as trips to the cinema, outdoor photography sessions,bowling, shopping, trips to the coast, zoo visits and theme parks.
