A GARDEN charity in Dawlish welcomed deaf and disabled students for work experience.

A group of deaf students with additional needs from Exmouth made great strides in their vocational training when they spent time at Dawlish Gardens Trust.

Through weekly visits, the students from the Deaf Academy, who also have complex additional needs, gained experience in a wide range of jobs, including gardening, mechanics, animal care and woodwork.

The students, aged 19 to 21, tackled these tasks in all kinds of weather, demonstrating resilience and teamwork.

The trust provides hands-on learning opportunities for individuals with special needs.

Students’ efforts were recently recognised as they achieved three AQA units in Community Gardening, Small Animal Care and Understanding Risks and Dangers.

They were thrilled to receive their certificates, which were presented to them by manager of Dawlish Gardens Trust, Fiona Gibson.

Helen Newton, a higher-level teaching assistant who works with the academy’s Pathfinders class, expressed her pride in the students’ accomplishments.

She said: ‘It has been wonderful to see the students grow in confidence and ability each week.

‘Their hard work and determination have truly paid off.

‘Not only have they expanded their technical skills, but they have developed teamwork and communication abilities by working alongside clients at the site.

'Our students gain hugely from the weekly work experience opportunities provided to them at the charity.’

The students’ additional support staff also shared their pride as the dedicated young people celebrated their success.

Based at Marysfield Nursery in Port Road, Dawlish Gardens Trust offers vocational training for adults with additional needs.

The charity provides opportunities for adults to learn skills in horticulture, catering, animal care as well as social skills and provides work experience for help into employment.