Our adult learners from the Empower programme in the Faculty of Inclusive Practice have been tasked with an important project that will test their skills, creativity, and decision-making, giving them chance to follow a brief and consider different factors that may affect their final product. 

These learners are working with Griffiths Farrans JV and Bristol Airport to restore 4 picnic benches for Oatfield playground in Backwell. After lots of wear and tear, these benches have become old and damaged but are a community favourite in the playground. Rather than replacing them, our FIP students have been asked to refurbish them and salvage what they can to improve sustainability and reduce waste. 

Griffiths Farrans JV are building a new public transportation interchange hub and multi-storey car park at Bristol Airport, which intends to reduce congestion, increase convenience, and encourage more public transport.  

Our guest speakers from Griffiths and Farrans JV, Kate and Emily, came to excite our learners and get them involved, giving them the chance to help out a local community but also show them the increase in opportunities available in the future.   

This project is for the students to not only restore the pre-existing benches, but also to create one new bench that is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all weathers. It can be made from any materials, and the students have complete freedom, with all the required materials being funded by Griffiths Farrans JV. 

The students were thrilled by the possibilities, immediately discussing different designs and considering a variety of accessibility options for a wide range of wheelchairs. They began to explore the different materials that would be best suited for their design ideas as well as considering how many seats they wish to include. 

Once the learners decide on the design as a group, they will begin to put their plan in motion with the help of their lecturers and technicians to ensure everything is carried out safely. By giving the learners this task, it builds their confidence, allows them to put their ideas into practice, and develop important transferrable skills in a supported environment which they can take with them after college. 

A big thank you to Griffiths Farrans JV for giving our students this opportunity! We’re excited to see how it turns out.

Weston college is one of four SEND Centres for Excellence, click her to find out more.