Help with skills and learning

In the UK, hundreds of thousands of children, young people, and adults struggle with formal education and learning.

The result can be disastrous, affecting people’s income and life chances. The impact on their confidence, mental health, and relationships can be profound.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

By giving people opportunities to engage with learning and supporting them with their needs we can reignite their passion for learning. This is why we offer a range of services and courses to help everyone from children, young people, parents, to single adults and help them to gain the confidence, skills and qualifications they need to progress and reach their potential.

Gateway Community Garden Alternative Learning

Our Gateway Community Garden Alternative Learning is an outdoor, therapeutic personal development programme for children and young people aged 14–16 who are struggling to engage with mainstream education.

The Reigate based Garden provides a safe, supportive environment where young people can reconnect with learning through practical gardening, nature-based activities, and structured personal development sessions. Students work in small groups, supported by trained youth practitioners, to build confidence, resilience, and positive relationships.

Activities are linked to ASDAN Personal Development modules, enabling young people to gain recognition for their achievements while developing essential life skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.

The programme also offers early intervention support for young people who are at risk of social isolation, school disengagement, or poor mental health. By combining outdoor learning with trusted adult relationships and wellbeing-focused support, the Gateway Community Garden Alternative Learning helps young people feel more confident, connected, and able to re-engage positively with education and their wider community.

STEPS to 16

Our trained STEPS to 16 staff are skilled at supporting young people struggling with a range of social, emotional, and mental health needs, including many learning difficulties.

Unlike mainstream schools’ focus on academic achievement, our approach (praised by Ofsted) is tailored to students’ needs and interests.

Our dedicated Learning Centre, based in Woking, is small with a ‘homely’ atmosphere. There are just two classrooms, a teaching kitchen, and an outdoor area. Casual clothes (no uniform) are worn, and we provide breakfast and lunch.

Students attend for up to 18 hours per week with learning taking place in small groups, or one to one. Subject cover a mix of:

• Functional skills e.g. maths and English, accredited by City& Guilds
• Vocational and life skills such as cooking, budgeting, and positive choices
• A range of enrichment activities such as trips to Brooklands museum, carpentry workshops or music courses with external groups.

Basically, we help young people to stay in education and secure the skills, confidence, and qualifications they need to transition into adulthood, further education, and employment, and to ultimately reach their potential.

Thank you for helping Evie, especially applying for a college place and for her mentor who took her to the interview … she was offered a place a on a health and beauty course and is doing well. She is even working in a salon on Saturdays. Thank you again!