Although not a training establishment Taurus
Crafts provides Basic Skills, Life Skills and Work Skills training. Those
wishing to may attain NPTC, NVQ qualifications without travelling to a
college.
Award Ceremony for Students Gaining
Qualifications
Training staff assess each individual and plan
their training so that competence is attained without undue stress. We have
excellent links with local colleges and can arrange extra tuition for work
related skill courses. (Recently our trainees have taken courses in antique
furniture restoration and silver jewellery making.)
Oliver Packer started in the Garden Now helps run
a Jewellery shop making his own pieces for sale.
We run other learning experiences such as a supper
club in our restaurant kitchens once a month so that trainees can learn
independent living skills in a fun and friendly atmosphere.
Taurus Crafts hosts work placement for young
people from surrounding schools each year as well as those with special needs
or exclusion problems. Our staff members are skilled in counselling and
teaching and are on hand 7 days a week to support the work placements.
Training and work opportunities
These
are available in all Taurus activities so those with special needs may
interact with the public.
The
restaurant specialises in freshly prepared food using mainly organic
ingredients. In addition to morning coffee, lunches, afternoon tea and
evening meals at certain times, the restaurant is available for private
functions.
Work
experience and training include food preparation and cooking, serving at the
counter and tables, and keeping the restaurant environment clean and tidy.
The
pottery produces high quality hand-thrown and moulded stoneware for
domestic and decorative use. Much of the ware features Taurus’s own special
blue glaze and is sold in the gift shop, at other Camphill centres and
through Camphill Products to customers in Britain and abroad, as well as
being used in the Taurus restaurant.
Training
and work experience are provided in all aspects of pottery work.
The
craft gift shop sells a wide selection of quality gift and craft items
from the Taurus pottery, other Camphill Communities, from craft workers in
the Forest of Dean and further afield, including overseas. Work experience
and training under an experienced retail manager covers all aspects of
retailing, stock handling and serving the public.
The
organic food and wine shop sells vegetables grown to organic standards
in our market garden and a wide range of organic produce,
environmentally-friendly household products and the widest ranges of organic
wines in the area. Again, training and work experience are available in all
aspects of the business.
The
organic market garden grows a wide range of vegetables, fruit and
flowers in its 4 acres. It is worked according to biodynamic principles,
caring for the soil and the environment to grow wholesome produce for the
Taurus restaurant and available from our shop. Training and work experience
covers all aspects of horticulture. The calm of the garden and the gentle
rhythm of the work are especially therapeutic for those with mental health
problems.
Local
craftspeople operate from several workshops in the old farm yard at the
Centre, making and selling quality craft items. In some cases it can be
arranged for the craftsperson to provide training and work experience
opportunities.
The
artist-in-residence programme, jointly funded by the South West Arts
Rural Development Agency, brings artists, skilled in a range of disciplines,
to the Centre to involve those with special needs and the visiting public in
the creation of original pieces of art and to lead courses and masterclasses’.
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