A Clacton training centre to help youngsters with special needs is set for a major summer expansion.


Sailship, a Community Interest Company, was set up by staff at the town’s Shorefield Special School last August to provide work and lifeskills training for adults and young people.


Since October, it has taught seven students two days a week in horticulture and cottage industry crafting.


But from August it will have room for 75 and be operating five days a week.


Sailship was launched with funding from the Big Lottery and the Anglian Community Trust.
Now, following extra cash from Comic Relief, Sailship can launch its next voyage, by offering Kitchen Crafts.


It will also offer support to adults who have a need for mental health support.
Elizabeth Barritt, managing director of Sailship, describes the new project as a “vocational operation” to help people into work. 


A new caravan will arrive at the centre in Fairclough Avenue during June, which will be kitted out with kitchen equipment so its recruits can create jams, chutneys and pickles.


They will also make soup, which will help the soup kitchen and community cafes that feed the poor and homeless of Clacton.


“Although we are working with people who are disadvantaged themselves, they want to help out too,” said Elizabeth.


Sailship staff have also received training from Thrive, an organisation that trains professionals, allowing it to deliver accredited work in ‘Social and Therapeutic Horticulture.’


Aimed at people needing mental health support, through a stroke drug or alcohol issues, or depression, Sailship will aim to help improve their self-esteem or confidence to help them get back to work.


Students will be able to develop a therapeutic cottage-style kitchen garden.
They will also be able to undertake an Asdan employability course.


"We are very excited to be able to do this. People with the issues described above are very hard to reach, although it is a fact that in our area there are many people who would benefit from what Sailship has to offer.

We would like to appeal to parents/carers, professionals and the wider community who may know of someone who could benefit from our support, to come and see us so we could demonstrate our work to them," she said. 


Sailship charges people for its courses, but they are necessary to help make up their cost.
Elizabeth also feels that students paying for courses help them value them more.
“You really need to be committed to doing the work,” she added.