The Future is Bright
“Bright Prospects” is the name chosen for a shop which has been taken over by Stepping Stones Day Opportunities in Bournemouth. Although the shop has evolved slowly over the past year, a grand opening ceremony was performed by the Mayor of Bournemouth on September 24tth. She was very enthusiastic about this community project. The shop provides retail and catering experience, for people with learning disabilities who attend Stepping Stones. Greetings cards are handmade in the workroom at the back of the shop and fair trade products from Traidcraft are on sale. Items from other local day centres, e.g. jewellery, pottery and plants are sold on commission. The shop provides a facility to enable people to meet others in the community.
Part of the shop has been made into a café for shoppers. Fair Trade tea and coffee, and homemade cake, are served. Several customers are now “regulars” and enjoy being able to chat with staff and the people they support. Students with learning disabilities and their tutor from Poole College take over the shop on Friday mornings to provide work experience for their students.
Stepping Stones people have become quite experienced in catering work as they have been managing the café in Moordown Community Centre called “Marion’s Kitchen” for eight years. Delicious lunches are served three days week for the people in the community. Buffet lunches for people who attend courses at the centre are also much in demand.
Here's what people we support have said about us:
“I like this picture of our shop being opened by the Mayor of Bournemouth because I am in the picture. The Mayor liked our shop and everyone was very happy. Paul Ashton made a speech and gave the Mayor a present”.
- Paul Bourlet
“I like working at Bright Prospects because I like serving in a shop. I wouldn’t be able to work in any other shop because I wouldn’t know what to do but the staff help me in Bright Prospects. I like helping to make cards to sell. I can make the cards, put the price on the back and put them in the basket ready to sell. I always feel excited if someone buys the cards I have made. I like serving in the café in Bright Prospects and am good at it. I can make the cups of tea and coffee on my own now and take them to the customers on a tray. I make sure the customers are happy. I think it is very important that we can work in a shop”.
- Tina Pearcy
