"Working to create a better future for disadvantaged people in their community"

Training and Placement Opportunities

In partnership with Huntingdonshire and Cambridge Regional Colleges we provide accredited work-based learning for adults with learning disabilities in the south of Cambridgeshire.

The priority age range is 16-25 for vocational training. Day placements may be purchased by individuals or local authorities using Direct Payments or Individualised Budgets as part of the ‘In Control’ initiative.

Becoming an enrolled student and member of OWL is a unique experience as it has a more holistic approach than other social training enterprises.

Students are encouraged to choose their own programme from the extensive range of opportunities:

OWL Gardeners – learn a wide range of skills by helping look after the gardens at Sawston Village College and their own allotment known as the Triangle. Enthusiastic gardeners are always amazed at the quality and variety of plants, herbs and produce for sale outside OWL’s main office. (Horticulture course).
OWL DIY Team – learn a wide range of simple DIY skills from small decorating and repair jobs at OWL’s three premises to looking after park benches and bus shelters for three local parish councils; Whittlesford, Thriplow and Pampisford. Students also gain valuable work experience in the Land Vehicle section at Duxford Imperial War Museum. (Woodwork course)
OWL Recycling – learn about the environment and the green agenda and, through various projects, help to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill locally. Recycling projects include collecting and sorting aluminium cans and foil, inkjet cartridges and mobile phones. There is also a large clothes, material and shoes container on site to promote and monitor. (Recycling course)
OWL Retail – learn about and practice all aspects of retail from buying to pricing to marketing and selling through running a Healthy Eating Tuckshop to selling on eBay. (Retail course)
Creative Textiles - learn how to weave on a full size weaving loom using strips of material, design your own wall hangings, cushion covers, table mats, shoulder bags and T-shirts using a variety of techniques. (Recycling course)
OWL Bikes - students go to the Bike Shed with their tutor to learn all about bicycles through removing reusable parts, dismantling wheels for recycling, puncture repairs, care of tools and simple maintenance tasks. (Metalwork course)
OWL Café - Students are based at the café (2 days/week) and form part of the team preparing, cooking, baking, serving and clearing away. Learn all aspects of catering by working alongside the professionals; a busy and lively working environment. Uniforms and lunch provided. (Entry Levels 1,2,3 City & Guilds Catering and Basic Food Hygiene).

Courses include embedded literacy and numeracy and IT skills. Students get to use the interactive white board, touch screen computers, digital stills and video cameras to support their learning.

Assessment; each student is assessed on enrolment to gauge level of need and ability, the assessment is developed into an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) with target setting and tutorials every 8 weeks.

Added value
Alongside the vocational programme there are the ‘added extras’ such as the weekly sports club, gym sessions, newsletter and discussion groups, Student Council, periodic arts projects, visits to places of cultural or course related interest, annual outing, Summer party and Christmas lunch.

OWL is planning to extend its leisure programme in the near future to make it available to people on Individual Budgets.

Friendships are formed during the day and members are encouraged to join the Friday Night Club, a weekly social gathering based in Sawston, and go to Funky Flamingo Club to further their social life.