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.

​

​New Meaning Training and Thomley is now making learning for Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) holders in Buckinghamshire more accessible than ever before with a new convenient location at the Healthy Living Centre in Aylesbury. A welcome addition to help with the demand for independent living and life skills training for young people with needs living in Buckinghamshire and neighbouring areas. 

​

The Achieve Lifeskills programme at Thomley and Healthy Living Centre 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. Whilst we don't yet have data for the 2021-2022 cohort we do know that the outcomes for our learners looks bright. Last academic year (July 2021) 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"

​

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 16-25 and there are no entry requirements, the course is 2.5 days a week.

Click on the image below to read and download our Learner Case Study

"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)