How it Started
Robin Pemberton and colleagues from Windsor and Maidenhead Users Network (WAMU), a support group for people with all types of disabilities, set up Braywick HEATH Nurseries to provide disabled people with employment, training and work experience in a commercial business. The site was provided by the Royal Borough with funding by ARCO chemicals of Bridge Street Maidenhead. The Nurseries, which were opened on 24th March 1997 by the mayor Cllr Ady Sheldon, received a visit from HRH Prince Charles in June 1997.
The Early Years
The nurseries grew and prospered over the years, despite some setbacks: two vans were destroyed by fire in 2002 and in 2003 vandals damaged offices, fences and stock and stole equipment in 2 attacks within 3 months. But local companies donated funds and in November 2004, the nurseries received funding for a new training facility, which opened in March 2005.
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Ten-Year Celebrations
By 2007 the nurseries had provided work for more than 250 people with difficulties ranging from epilepsy and dyslexia to autism and mental health problems. HRH Prince Edward attended the 10 Year anniversary celebrations.
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Skills Training Expanded
Over the next years, staff offered classes and courses to the public and in 2010 the Braywick Employment Skills Training (B.E.S.T.) program was set up to help prepare trainees for open employment.
Fifteenth Anniversary
After 3 more vandal attacks in 2010, members of the public and local companies rallied round with donations and the nurseries were able to install CCTV cameras. In October 2011 the new IT suite opened. In March 2012 the Nurseries celebrated 15 years with a visit from the current mayor Cllr. Asghar Majeed together with their first customer in 1997 the then mayor Cllr.Ady Shelden
Into the Future
To date Braywick HEATH Nurseries have been able to offer training and employment to over 800 people with disabilities and in need of support.We are now expanding our range of employment and are trialing packaging and collating work at the nurseries.
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- Into the future
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.jpg "Our open plan conference area")
.jpg "The conference area set up for a presentation")
.jpg "Training Room 1")
.jpg "Training Room 2")
.jpg "Prince Andrew meeting staff and local dignitaries")
.jpg "Prince Edward touring the greenhouses")
.jpg "John with Mrs May")
.jpg "Prince Edward and staff")
.jpg "Robin and Prince Edward")
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.jpg "training award for Ben")
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(15th Anniv).jpg "15th Annivesary celebration")