New Meaning Thomley

Thomley is a fantastic place with plenty going on. Everything from a bike track and zip wire to themed rooms to explore the senses, creativity and the imagination. Find out more here...

New Meaning Training has a highly aligned and very special relationship with Thomley. This charity creates a place where everyone can develop, offering activities and learning for people of all abilities. Spread over a 9 acre site just outside the village of Worminghall between Oxford and Aylesbury, the place is spacious, welcoming and of course, very inclusive. 

Since September 2021, by collaborating with New Meaning Training, there has been a new academic year-long course (term time only) to add to the rich and diverse Thomley portfolio of life long learning activities. The ACHIEVE Lifeskills programme at Thomley is designed to empower and support young people in everyday fundamentals for living life more independently. The course works towards a Diploma in Independent Living Skills, an employability award as well as English and Maths Functional Skills. A new dedicated ACHIEVE centre opened at Thomley in September 2021 and has 9 learners currently working their way through the programme. Whilst ACHIEVE hasn’t yet been running for a whole academic year at Thomley, the prospective outcomes for these learners looks bright. Last academic year over in High Wycombe, 93% of learners got both their Maths and English qualification and 100% of the learners achieved both their Employability and their Independent Living Qualification. Then, at the end of the programme, of the 17 in total, 4 learners gained employment, 7 stayed on for a second year and 6 learners went onto further education.

"Thomley’s vision is to enhance the lives and experiences of people with disabilities, their family's carers, and the wider community.

The majority of our visitors are on the autistic spectrum and have learning and/or behavioural impairments that make it difficult for them to access mainstream life skills and work experience training opportunities.

Making a transformative change towards Thomley becoming a lifelong learning centre, we are delighted to be collaborating with New Meaning Training to deliver the ACHIEVE Life Skills programme at Thomley"

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Ewan Shinton - Chief Executive at Thomley

Our Programme

The Achieve Lifeskills programme is an entry level course designed to empower and support young people in everyday fundamentals for living life more independently. The course works towards a Diploma in Independent Living Skills, an employability award as well as English & Maths. It includes modules on money management, independent living, accessing & interpreting travel timetables, healthy eating and health & safety. The Achieve Life Skills programme is for EHCP holders aged 16-24 and there are no entry requirements, the course is 2.5 days a week.

"My son has really grown in confidence since joining the Achieve programme and he is trying new foods which he has never done before. It has been lovely to see."
Parent of an ACHIEVE Student at Thomley (early on in their first term)