Supported Internships

Of course, we never lose sight of why Mission EmployAble (MEA) is so unique. We train young adults, aged 18-25 with a learning disability, to become employable. Our interns come from the surrounding areas of Herts and Bucks, and commit to the supported internship programme in conjuction with the Bucks College Group.

They will be trained by a wonderful team headed up by training manager, Cass Langham, within our training centre based in the Café on The Common, Chorleywood.

Our current interns are stunning us with their skills, enthusiasm and commitment to the programme. Best of all, they are clearly enjoying their on-the-job training inside the café and other outside work experiences that are part of their work employability training course.

Could You Employ One Of Our interns?

Employers tell us that adults with a learning disability are hard-working, reliable, eager to please and popular with both colleagues and customers. All they need is a sympathetic employer and some initial support in their role. With our help, you can easily become a ‘disability friendly’ employer. You will soon see that employing a young adult with a learning disability is as rewarding for you as it is for them.

If you think you can offer permanent part-time paid work, up to 20 hours, to one of our interns once they finish their training in July, click here to view the flyer, or please contact: claudine.hall@missionemployable.co.uk

When the chair of West Watford Golfing Society (WWGS) and his wife dropped into Chorleywood's Café On The Common recently, they thought they were just there for lunch.

In fact, outgoing WWGS chair Mike Kerrigan was so impressed by the café's 'backstory' that he decided to donate £1000 from WWGS to Mission EmployAble, the charity that runs Café On The Common as a training centre for young adults with learning disabilities.

Mike and Pauline learned about Mission EmployAble's supported internships, which prepare interns for paid work.

"I saw immediately that this initiative aligned perfectly with WWGS's values of giving back to the community by supporting small local charities," said Mike Kerrigan of his decision to donate.

Mike returned to the café with incoming WWGS chair Robert Benson to meet Mission Employable Trustee Erica Bendall, who said: "We all express our heartfelt thanks to WWGS for their generosity, which will go towards new equipment in the café's kitchen."

"We are also grateful to Pauline Kerrigan for giving a huge amount of knitting wool to Chorleywood WI, who used it to make amazing presents for Café On The Common's gift corner."

Click to download the PDF.

Most people have heard of Bring Your Daughter To Work Day, an initiative to encourage girls to consider professions where women are under-represented, but one Herts company went a step further by allowing employees to bring their dog into the office for one day, in return for a donation to a charity.

Minerva IT Services, which is based in Potters Bar, opened its doors to canine friends of all shapes and sizes on its first Paws For A Cause Day in June, raising more than £200 for Chorleywood charity MEA.

Victoria Livingston, marketing manager for Minerva said: 'I am always looking for new ways to help the community and when I heard that [Minerva director and Chorleywood Cricket Club member] John Chadwick was involved with MEA's dog-friendly café in Chorleywood, I came up with Paws For A Cause.'

John Chadwick said: 'Everyone brought in their dogs, who happily wagged their tails, which had a positive impact on the team, who couldn't stop smiling all day.'

MEA Café On The Common manager Annie Baker said: "We know that sound well, a combination of people laughing and the odd dog bark, fills our café, every day."

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A Family Day Out & Afternoon Teas

"The seas of bluebells were quite magical, especially when the sun broke through the pale green of the tree canopy." - Rachel Hatfield

Location:
Crosslane Wood, Burtons Lane, Chalfont St. Giles
Dates:
Sunday 5th May, 11am-4pm
Monday 6th May, 10am-3pm
Tickets:
£28 Family Ticket
£10 Adult Ticket
£6 Concessionary ticket for over 60’s
Children under 12 FREE

Tickets: Sunday
Tickets: Monday
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Local resident Simon Elson is running the Southampton marathon in April, 2024, to raise money for our charity.

"MEA is an incredible organisation and a real asset to the local community," said Simon. "I cannot think of a worthier cause to raise money for."

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