The Apperley Centre, Stonehouse

Cathy started her presentation by setting the Centre’s work in context – it was remarkable to learn how far we have come in terms of educating and supporting young people who are faced with learning difficulties, autism, and levels of high anxiety. 

Cathy spoke of “quality ingredients” that go together to help these young people (from all over Gloucestershire) to be part of the community and to develop work skills such as CV writing and interview techniques as well as building resilience and finding their own coping mechanisms – all done by means of a bespoke curriculum.

The emphasis of their work is very much on being outdoors and Cathy spoke affectionately of the community partnerships that The Apperley Centre has with organisations such as the Gloucestershire Orchard Trust; students hand pick the apples each year that eventually go into the Orchard’s “Trust Juice”. 

Cathy described her staff as The A Team and they have an ethos of setting high expectations and a belief in what may be possible.  Their work promotes progress and fosters interest and certainly enables their young people to face the work with a lasting toolkit of skills.

The Rotary Club of Stonehouse is very proud to be a community partner with The Apperley Centre, and this is a partnership which will continue to flourish in the coming year.

Jan Lawry