EMA student Maisie, now in her third year at EMA, has been thriving — and we’re proud to share her story, featuring recent achievements and words from her tutor, family, work experience team, and herself!
Thanks to her own determination and the support of those around her, Maisie now attends two work experience placements and is flourishing in both. One of her standout achievements is her role as a gardener at the National Trust’s Max Gate in Dorchester, where she’s been making a real impact for the past three months.
Maisie has quickly progressed to working independently alongside the Max Gate team, no longer requiring an EMA Support Worker, and she has become a valued, well-liked team member. She’s always eager to get involved — particularly in the vegetable beds — putting her Level 1 in Horticulture skills into action with pride.
Caps Browning-Smith, Head Gardener at Max Gate, had the following to say:
“Maisie has settled in quickly with my team of garden volunteers. We have become very fond of her. Maisie’s sense of humour shines through and keeps us all in good cheer. We’re pleased that she no longer needs a support worker. We’d certainly consider working with further EMA students.”
We’re so proud to hear that Maisie is having such a positive impact in her placement, paving the way for students in the future too.
Back in college, Maisie continues to achieve, and enjoy her studies. Maths is her favourite subject – “I really like adding up and completing the sums!” – and she’s also developed her horticulture skills through her Seed2Plate sessions, planting flowers, tomatoes, spinach, and more. Working alongside other students in their efforts to transform the garden outside the training kitchen, growing and harvesting the diverse produce. “It’s been going really good so far. I’ve learnt so much and enjoyed planting the flowers.” she says.
On Fridays, Maisie works in The Dovecote Café, the on-site café at our Walled Garden based campus, and here she gets to take skills from the training kitchen during her hospitality sessions, and put them into action in a public facing, real world environment. Completing food prep independently and with great enthusiasm, continuing to hit her targets.
Maisie’s tutor, Jodie, shared – “In All About Me sessions, Maisie contributes thoughtfully to discussions, shares her ideas, reads aloud from the board with confidence, and uplifts her peers with her friendly and polite nature. Her independent travel is such a big achievement too – she now travels to and from college by herself on Tuesdays, no support worker needed”. Travelling by herself is a testament to Maisie’s confidence and another big goal ticked off her list.
Outside of college, Maisie continues to set herself personal goals – she’s currently working towards her next karate belt, having already earned her purple belt with three red stripes!
Maisie’s parents offered some further insight into how they feel she has progressed, and we’re thankful to them for their support and working closely with us to enable Maisie to get to where she is today.
“Right from the start Maisie was keen to go to college every day and is happy there. The step up in maturity has been very positive. Maisie has enjoyed all aspects of her time at EMA but she has most definitely become a gardener. When asked, she now tells people that’s what she does. She enjoys all her placements, those within Moreton Gardens, with the EMA staff themselves, with Seed2Plate, and externally. From the first term to now, we can see how she has been supported and encouraged to develop. We, her parents have been part of her journey from the outset; regular contact with her tutors, and being kept totally in the picture with work plans and progress.”
Maisie’s journey is a fantastic example of what can be achieved with the right support, a positive mindset, and the courage to keep stepping forward. She has applied to move on to our supported internships from September and we’re excited to see what the future holds for her.
