School seeks £25,000 to fill 'the gap between education and employment'

Woodlands Meed will be taking part in Monday's Angels' Den at Brighton Corn Exchange, organised by Focus Foundation.

Ten finalists will be hoping for a share of £150,000, and Anna Hull from the school says the money would make a huge difference.

She said: "At Woodlands Meed, we're working to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing young people with special educational needs and disabilities: the gap between education and employment.

"Despite having talents, ambition and much to contribute, only six per cent of adults with learning disabilities are in paid employment. We believe that has to change.

"We are seeking £25,000 to purchase a fully fitted mobile coffee van, but this isn't simply a van.

"It's a mobile training centre, a social enterprise and a bridge between education and employment. It will provide young people with meaningful, real-world work experience while giving local employers the opportunity to see first-hand the skills, commitment and potential our students can bring to the workplace.

"The coffee van will enable us to showcase the skills, talents and potential of our young people to the wider community and, in particular, local employers."

Anna says that the impact goes beyond simply serving coffee: "When a young person gains the confidence, skills and experience needed to move towards employment, the benefits can last a lifetime.

"Whilst some students will gain direct work experience through the enterprise, every young person at Woodlands Meed will benefit from the increased opportunities, aspirations and pathways that the project creates. It will become a visible example of what is possible for young people with SEND as they prepare for adulthood.

"The project builds on Woodlands Meed's growing employability programme, including its successful supported internship initiative, which currently supports young people from across Mid Sussex to gain valuable workplace experience and move closer to sustainable employment.

"The more opportunities we can create today, the more we help build a future where employers recognise the value that people with SEND bring to the workplace.

"This is not just life-changing for those individuals and their families; it's good for businesses, communities and society as a whole."

Anna describes the plan as 'a lasting legacy of opportunity, independence and inclusion – an investment that will help young people with SEND develop skills today, access employment tomorrow, and build more fulfilling and independent lives for years to come.'

"This is about much more than a coffee van. It's about creating opportunities, changing perceptions and building futures.

"Every cup served will represent a young person developing confidence, independence and employability skills. With the support of Angels' Den, we can create a lasting legacy that helps young people with SEND move from education into meaningful employment and fulfilling adult lives."

In time, Woodlands Meed hopes to establish the Woodlands Meed Life Skills Launchpad, a dedicated centre focused on improving post-19 outcomes for young people across Sussex with SEND through employability, independence and life skills development.

"This project represents an exciting next chapter in our work to improve life opportunities for young people with SEND across Sussex”, continued Anna. “Our ambition is to build on this social enterprise and our supported internship programme to create more real-world opportunities for young people to develop workplace skills, gain confidence, and move towards paid employment.

"We want every young person to leave us believing in their potential, equipped with the skills to live as independently as possible and ready to play an active role in their community."

Tickets are still available for Angels' Den at https://focusfoundation.org.uk/events/join-us-for-a-night-of-connection-and-collective-action-at-angels-den-2026/.