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Friends of Valkenberg has extended its services into the area of skills development by piloting projects in 3 areas:

1. The Hair Salon was previously just a place where service users could have their hair done thereby improving self-care skills and boosting their self-esteem. This project has been extended to include a skills development component where service users are trained in barber skills and equipped to run a small business from home once they are discharged.  Service users get personal attention and support and find a safe space to relax and talk while building independence and preparing for reintegration into the community. The project also promotes self-esteem and provides people with meaningful activity and a place to give back to the community.
2. The Friendly Shop is providing opportunities for service users in retail skills such as customer service, food preparation and stock control which will equip them for employment after discharge. Other service users volunteer in the Shop as a place where they can find meaningful occupation and a way to give back to their community.  Service users find great support and encouragement here, building self-esteem and confidence.
3. The Barista Skills development project relaunched in October 2022. Two separate groups of patients were nominated by occupational therapists, and selected to participate in a barista course. Shakers Bar School agreed to partner with us last year and offered the three- day Barista course at a discounted price. In total we were able to send 12 patients on the course, where 10 successfully passed. The goal of this project is to better equip patients with the skills needed to enter the job market following discharge. We hope to further expand this project beyond the course itself by partnering with the occupational therapy department to aid these patients in finding work opportunities following the successful completion of the barista course. Of the 10 patients that passed, we were able to offer one an internship in the Friendly Shop.