A charity project has celebrated the support it gets from businesses and community organisations.
The Bren Project, which does life-changing work with adults with learning disabilities and autism in Chester and the surrounding area, presented each group with a Certificate of Participation in recognition for the work they have done in the past year.
Bren Project manager Graham Weaver said: “The work the project does would not be possible without the support of local organisations who provide welcoming, professional environments in which our beneficiaries can flourish.
“By awarding our partner organisations these certificates, we want to let everyone know just how much we appreciate their contribution to our work.”
More than 15 of The Bren Project’s partner organisations were invited to the event, including Chester businesses like Storyhouse and Hobson’s Café, and placement providers from further afield, such as Waitrose Northwich and Encirc, which is based in Elton .
Sylvie More of Storyhouse said: “Bren Project beneficiaries have been a wonderful addition to our customer service operation at Moonlight Flicks, our open air cinema, and at Chester Music Festival , directing customers in a highly informative and professional manner, and enthusiastically distributing flyers and deckchairs at Moonlight Flicks.
“It has been a real pleasure to have one of their beneficiaries support us in the office. She has done great research work for us.”
The Bren Project was established in 2005 and the charity’s mission is to develop the social, emotional and economic well-being of people with learning disabilities and autism through personalised supported workplace opportunities in partnership with the local community.
These opportunities usually take the form of one-day-a-week placements in the vocational area of the beneficiaries’ choice, which last for eight weeks.
All the beneficiaries are provided with one-to-one job coach support throughout the placement.
In the summer of 2015, the Bren Project launched Bren Bikes, a social enterprise offering supported work opportunities to their client group in a bicycle workshop environment.
Find out more about Bren at www.brenproject.org.uk .
