Over the past 12 months, our Gillingham campus has undergone a diverse range of exciting developments as we strive to make EMA the best place it can be for the young people who attend.
Since October 2024, we have been able to focus the site entirely on supporting our students, creating new facilities, and repurposing previously used commercial space, so that everything at EMA in Gillingham is tailored to their needs, positive learning, and personal growth.
Independent Living Suite
Among the biggest new additions has been the construction of our Independent Living Suite. Previously, a metal lean-to used for product storage, is now a fully custom building designed to support the growth of independence. Complete with a fully equipped kitchen and dining room, bed, and bathroom facilities, the suite mirrors the kind of environment students may encounter at home, with various appliances, utensils, and furniture. It provides a safe, supported space where they can build essential life skills as part of their Preparation for Adulthood study programme. Boosting their confidence towards being more independent is key in enabling our students to progress further, and it is our goal to provide them with the foundational skills to support their futures.
“While many areas of our campus allow for building independence, having this brand-new space which is devoted to the practicing of every-day activities – from making a hot drink, or a sandwich, to doing laundry and learning personal hygiene – is really taking the support that we’re able to provide to the next level for those who attend EMA. There are lots of things we all do on a day-to-day basis that many of us take for granted, but for many of our students, they’ll be learning these skills for the first time, or at least, practicing doing them by themselves for the first time, and it’s our goal to help them reach their independence potential so they can leave EMA with that solid foundation for adulthood.” – Lisa-Marie Mackenzie, Deputy Head of Education
Multi-Use Games Area
Outdoors, our new Multi-Use Games Area has been a welcome addition. This space is laid out with AstroTurf, surrounded by a polymeric shock absorbing surface, and features a basketball court, nest swing, and outdoor exercise equipment. This state-of-the-art MUGA allows and encourages students to enjoy physical activity, encourage mobility, develop teamwork skills, and boost wellbeing in a fun and accessible way through games and learning, all within the safety of our campus.
“I specialised in sport before I joined EMA, with training and teaching experience in the field, so for us to implement a space like this is something that resonates immensely with me, and I know our students, and staff, are going to benefit in such a huge way now we have this area of the campus dedicated to promoting the physical wellbeing of everyone. It really is a fantastic addition which we’re all excited about.” – James Dunham, Head of Education
Sensory, Hygiene and Learning Pods.
We’ve introduced modular pods across campus, giving students and staff access to spaces which function as rooms for personal care and hygiene (including a shower and wash and dry toilet for those with complex care needs). The pods are used for break out, sensory, and quiet areas. They also also provide privacy and adaptability, ensuring we’re hitting the needs of everyone at EMA in Gillingham.
“So much of what we do at EMA is focused on the individual, with support and learning tailored to them. These smaller, individual spaces function slightly differently to full-size classrooms. Really, they’re just for one to three people at any given time. We needed to add the spaces swiftly and, given the requirements for things like personal care and individual quiet spaces, it made sense to opt for the pods as a solution. They were easily brought in and installed with no disruption to the existing site. We’ve also ensured they’re fully accessible by ramp, and one space has been assigned to a single student and their specific needs. Their dignity and safety are catered for, and we’re glad to be able to offer them the same opportunities as everyone else.” – James Dunham, Head of Education
Hospitality Training Space
Our former café was repurposed into a dedicated Hospitality Training Space, equipped with all the front-of-house and kitchen facilities students need. We adapted the kitchen to better suit the requirements for teaching, by making a central island for people to work around together, and new shelving area making ingredients more accessible. We have also adapted the doorways, making them wider to accommodate wheelchair using students, and installed an adjustable height worktop in the kitchen. Here, they gain valuable hands-on experience running pop-up cafés and communal lunches for staff, and visitors, which not only builds confidence but also give them a chance to showcase their skills in an event-type setting.
“The pop-up cafés are such an integral part of the week at EMA, because everyone, not just the education team, but all the staff on-site are invited to come together for a communal lunch. The students help lay the tables and front of house, along with all the planning, shopping, prep and cooking for the lunch itself. It’s a multi-faceted way for the young people to develop their skills, while also maintaining the community feeling of EMA where everyone is welcome. We have such a wonderful and happy time in here, it’s been a huge benefit to us all as professionals, and for the learners.” – Natalie Dix, Tutor
Positive Impact for Students
Feedback from staff and students has been overwhelmingly positive. Having more dedicated spaces away from the public has created a calmer, more private environment with fewer disruptions. The pop-up cafés and upcoming internal Christmas Craft Market are just some of the ways students are making full use of the new facilities.
“It’s been great using the training kitchen, and the start of the new year is going well. I love experimenting with menus for the pop-up cafés, and if there’s an ingredient we can’t get for a certain flavour, I like to put my own spin on it!” – Lillie, Gillingham Student
Looking Ahead
We’re already working on exciting future additions, including a sensory garden with a water feature and vegetable patch, and a brand-new classroom plot with three classrooms and toilet facilities. To make way for these improvements, we’ve cleared our old plant nursery area – another step forward in reshaping our campus for the future.
Come and See for Yourself
We’re proud of the changes we’ve made, and even more proud of the opportunities they’re creating for our students. Tours and taster sessions are available all year round, giving families the chance to see first-hand how Employ My Ability supports young people in their next steps. So if you’re looking to take the next steps please Get in touch today.
