A FARM-based charity helping adults with learning difficulties gain work, skills and friendship was ‘blown away’ by a team of volunteers from a power firm.

Forty staff from UK Power Networks Services spent three days at the Boaz Project in Sutton Scotney laying paving slabs in fruit and vegetable cages to improve access, installing trace heating, weed clearance, collecting and processing chicken eggs and supporting the members working in the kitchen, craft room and wood workshop.

At a time when just 7 per cent of adults with learning disabilities are in paid employment, Boaz enables adults excluded from mainstream work to learn a range of skills and crafts, make food, practise woodwork and take care of sheep, donkeys, guinea pigs and hens.

Stuart Palmer, Boaz manager, said: “UK Power Networks Services is probably the first corporate partner we have worked with who were able to complete some really big and quite technical tasks to a high standard in a very short timescale. It has blown us away as we were expecting these projects to take considerably longer to complete.

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“The smooth pathways laid mean that our less physically able members can now enjoy harvesting soft fruit much more safely. We are a small, independent local charity, so a team like this coming to us and really hitting some big projects so hard really moves the dial and makes a big difference. We hope they will come back next year.”

The volunteers, who normally work on energy infrastructure projects, were equally ‘blown away’ by the work of members, staff and volunteers at Boaz Project, where more than 30 adults with learning disabilities gain regular working purpose, new skills and a sense of belonging and camaraderie. For some members, the charity may provide a stepping-stone to paid work, while for others it breaks down social barriers and promotes inclusion.

Tim Seed, a lead designer at UK Power Networks Services, said: “The company allows all employees to spend up to two days a year getting involved in community projects outside work. Boaz Project is doing some excellent work and I’m really proud to work for a company that gives us that opportunity to help charities which need the support.”