Employ My Ability’s (EMA) Gillingham campus – once a garden centre and café – has been transformed over the past year, with what it calls a ‘host of exciting new facilities and upgrades’.

These are designed to help young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) gain vital skills for independence for their future.

Since October 2024, the site has been fully dedicated to supporting students, with new purpose-built areas for learning, life skills and wellbeing all aimed at helping learners prepare for adulthood in a supportive and inclusive environment. This new focus has also enabled the creation of new jobs, increasing career opportunities for those who live in and around Gillingham, EMA says.

One of the standout additions is the Independent Living Suite – a fully equipped kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom area designed to mirror the type of environment students may find at home, where they can practice everyday tasks such as cooking, laundry, and personal care. Everything from making a hot drink, to changing bed sheets.

‘Having this brand-new space devoted to everyday activities is really taking the support we’re able to provide to the next level,’ said Lisa-Marie Mackenzie, the organisation’s Deputy Head of Education.

‘It’s our goal to help students reach their independence potential so they can leave EMA with a solid foundation for adulthood.’

The former café has also been turned into a Hospitality Training Space, where students gain hands- on experience running pop-up cafés and community lunches for staff and visitors.

‘The pop-up cafés are such an integral part of the week at EMA,’ said Natalie Dix, Tutor. ‘It’s a multi-faceted way for the young people to develop their skills while maintaining the community feeling where everyone is welcome.’

Feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive. One learner, Lillie, shared: ‘I love experimenting with menus for the pop-up cafés, and if there’s an ingredient we can’t get for a certain flavour, I like to put my own spin on it!’

A brand-new Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) has been added outdoors, featuring a basketball court, nest swing, and exercise equipment – encouraging students to stay active and develop teamwork skills.

‘I specialised in sport before I joined EMA, with training and teaching experience in the field, so for us to implement a space like this is something that resonates immensely with me,’ said James Dunham, Head of Education. ‘It’s a fantastic addition that promotes physical wellbeing for everyone.’

In addition, new Sensory, Hygiene and Learning Pods provide quiet, accessible spaces for personal care, and one-to-one learning – ensuring all students’ individual needs are met with dignity and comfort.

The developments to EMA in Gillingham have also enabled the creation of new jobs in both specialist areas and support roles, increasing the number of people employed by EMA at the Gillingham site since October 2024.

Adding these roles to the team enhances EMA’s ‘inclusive, person-centred approach’, it says, ensuring every learner receives the individual guidance and encouragement they deserve.

Looking ahead, EMA says it continues to develop its offer for the local and wider community, and is already planning further additions, including a sensory garden with a water feature and vegetable patch, and a new classroom block to expand opportunities even further.

EMA Gillingham says it is ‘proud’ of its new facilities and welcomes local families, carers, and professionals to visit the campus.

Tours and taster sessions are available throughout the year to showcase how EMA supports young people to thrive in education, and finding their future.

For more information or to arrange a visit, contact:
Employ My Ability – Gillingham Campus
01929 405685
office@employmyability.org.uk
https://employmyability.org.uk