Tukes staff and members have been working tirelessly the past couple of months in preparation for the official opening The Hub will officially opened on Thursday 3rd August, and includes two classrooms with the potential for 10 learning spaces in each.
The venue boasts a relaxed ‘hub’ area where learners are able work wirelessly on laptops for additional learning and job searches. Tukes are hoping that The Hub will be seen as much more than just a classroom. “The old Tukes Café before it closed used to feel like the heart of Tukes, a place that service users, volunteers and staff felt at home. It was a place for people to socialise as well as providing training. We’re hoping that The Hub will bring that community feel back to Tukes and give staff, service users and volunteers a place they can be proud of”, Maureen Potter (Tukes Assistant Manager).
They will be working in partnership with other education providers in the area to be able to deliver a wider variety of education for those that want it. If there is an interest in a subject that Tukes themselves are unable to provide, they will work with other education providers to do their best to ensure people are able to get on the course that they want. Tukes want to take their education and training a step further. The aim is to give people skills from all aspects of life, looking at what they can do to help an individual to move forward, not just academically, but providing learning to benefit people’s lives in general. That may be learning how to budget or any form of training that may improve someone’s health or well-being.
Jane Lewington, Chief Executive of NAViGO said: “It is fantastic to see the former Tukes Traders building revitalised into a vibrant hub for Tukes members and for our staff. I see The Hub becoming the beating heart of Tukes, not just supporting e-learning but hosting a wide range of activities and being a social space to bring people together”.
Maureen Potter, Assistant Manager for Tukes commented that: “Service users and members have been telling us that they want to move up a level, so we want to offer people a wide variety and give people the opportunity to find something that they’re really interested in. The Hub is giving us the potential to deliver even more and even better training, we want to say to more people: ‘yes we can do that for you’”
‘Job Club’ is also something that is going to be set up in The Hub, allowing people the time and space to work on their CVs, discuss what it is that they would like to do and search and apply for jobs online. The Hub are eager to be able to set up more advanced training in the hope of people returning to work, offering sought after CV boosts, such as a Safety Passport scheme, with the option to apply for Gardiner Hill Foundation funding for any additional costings for training. Safety Passports and similar recognised certifications can greatly widen people’s job prospects, allowing them to apply for jobs that may previously not have been possible.
The Hub will provide opportunity for service users, volunteers and work placements to gain experience in reception and admin duties, signing people onto classes, keeping check of equipment and dealing with phone calls. It will be open to staff, service users, volunteers and work placements, to benefit everybody and integrate staff and service users more effectively. Tukes are hoping that The Hub will be an area for learning, a place to boost confidence and job prospects, along with a space for social interaction, a place to have a cuppa and a chat with friends whilst waiting for classes to begin. Visit our website for more information - www.navigocare.co.uk/latest-news/