Students of Orchard Hill College, Wallington have been working with Sutton Community Farm and one of the lecturers from Old Town Hall now speaks of his experience supporting the students.

“Over the past 8 years I have taught many students who have successfully taken part in work experience at Sutton Community Farm. For many of these students this is their first taste of external work experience, having previously taken part in internal college enterprises. It has provided a fantastic opportunity for these students.
“They have completed a wide variety of tasks at the farm, including sowing seeds, creating paths, watering vegetables and using specialist equipment. The students learn about how to use equipment safely and how to manage their behaviour in a public environment. They also learn life skills such as following instructions from unfamiliar staff and asking for help if necessary. These skills can then be transferred into their everyday lives. It is also brilliant to see how students become more confident both in terms of work skills and interacting with their peers and staff members.
“What makes the work experience particularly meaningful for the students is that they can continue their placements at Sutton Community Farm once they have completed their college course; it is great that they have the option to continue working at the farm after they graduate. Most importantly, the work experience our students have taken part in at Sutton Community Farm gives them the opportunity to integrate into their local community and increase their independence both in a work environment and in everyday life.”