Building on Success

Story & photos: Liz Searle

On the 20th March, the Women’s Construction Centre (WCC) celebrated the opening of its new learning centre at Buckenham Street. The achievements of recent students were recognised by a presentation of certificates to forty women for tiling, bricklaying, plastering and plumbing. Visitors heard from manager Ros Wollen how the WCC has made great progress since it opened two and a half years ago. Courses are now so popular they are often oversubscribed.

Jane Thomas, chairperson of South Yorkshire Women’s Development Trust, commented that WCC had performed better than expected, the learners proving to be a real success story. “The WCC has been ground-breaking nationally and, as a hub of the community, will provide a legacy for the future,” she said.

Other speakers included Mr and Mrs Lawa and Dr Patel of the Hindu Community Centre, that owns the building, and Dee Desgranges of the Adult and Community Learning Unit, that provides funding. She noted how special the WCC is as it offers opportunities for learning skills, supports progress into self-employment and challenges stereotypes. Both she and Jackie Drayton congratulated the staff and learners for their hard work and achievement.

Chantelle Gilbert described the plastering course as ‘fantastic and fun’, with ‘a brilliant tutor and course mates’. She is now considering studying Interior Design at university.

Another learner, Anne Lawton, also extolled the virtues of the tutors and learners, emphasising their good liaison with the Hindu community.

The evening ended with the formal opening of the learning centre and the newly tiled hallway and toilets. These new additions to the Centre not only demonstrate the ability of its learners but will provide greater opportunities for future classes, as English, maths and computer skills will be taught there.

Contact the Women’s Construction Centre on 0114 273 7046.