Day Service
- Practise talents & develop skills -
Our Day Service
Our day service is a place for adults with learning disabilities and autism to practise their talents and develop practical skills, while being an active part of our community.
During the day, our trainees can get involved in many ways, including:
- Helping with the daily shopping for the cafe
- Working in our kitchen
- Interacting with customers in our shop and cafe
- Helping in the office
- Taking part in work placements
- Enjoying group activity sessions
- Communication, speech and language sessions.
- ASDAN courses.
- Highfield accredited courses.
We alternate activities throughout the day and the week, which gives everyone a chance to develop a variety of skills while interacting with our community.
Our activities
Throughout the week we run a range of activities including craft, music, drama and horticulture. We’re proud to offer a huge variety of things to do, so there’s always something to make our community hub visitors happy.
What we do is often influenced by individual interests and we give people opportunities to shape what they do. Some of our music fans have started a band, while our drama club puts on a very popular yearly show. Our Wednesday and Friday pottery classes are also a highlight for many.
Our schedule is also shaped by the world around us, so if it’s a beautifully sunny day we’ll take the opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities.
Some of our most popular activities and experiences include:
We do not just make things! Everything is made to a high standard for retail sale or use in our café. There is no lip service paid to any activity.
A unique approach
What makes us different at Sweet Surprise is that our group sessions are led by artisans and the people taking part create items to sell in the shop and cafe.
We are always thinking of new, fun and exciting ideas for things to make and do. Recently we’ve made some wonderful keyrings, pom-pom garlands and glasses chains that have found a home in our shop. Our Christmas decorations are especially popular, so much so that we create them year-round to keep up with demand.
Our group classes give us an opportunity to bring out and develop hidden talents and interests. We’re currently working with a local artist who really challenges us to stretch our skills. Together we’re painting a mural - taking those art skills and transforming them into a lasting piece of art we can all enjoy.
About our building
We are very lucky to be located right in Ilminster town centre, opposite the church. Our building is an old 1930s cinema, which was converted into what we see today.
Our building includes a cafe and sweet shop, which is open to the public daily. Behind this, we have a large room that we split into smaller spaces for group sessions including craft activities. We also have a large working kitchen, where we prepare the food for our cafe. Upstairs we have another room with IT equipment and a place to practise music and drama and IT skills.
Experience our day service
Do you care for someone who would like to try our activities? Book a free taster session of our day service for a time that suits you.
Give us a call on 01460 54225 or fill in the form below.
