Employ My Ability

Employ My Ability Campuses in Moreton (near Dorchester) & Gillingham, North Dorset. We provide many different vocational training opportunities within our commercial settings.

SEND provision for 16-25s focusing on preparation for adulthood, support for employment, and supported internships with training and qualifications enabling diverse pathways for the future. Employ My Ability, based at The Walled Garden, Moreton, is a unique place for our students, staff and customers. Alongside the acquisition of work-skills, training and real life work-experience we enable our students to leave with worthwhile qualifications and a pathway into employment within their local community. Our students engage with personal timetables and work alongside our tutor-trained industry professionals to develop understanding of the skills required for the workplace. Students follow the Employ My Ability Curriculum and access the wide variety of extra-curricular activities that this offers. With visitors, tourists and regular customers being drawn to our site throughout the year, we set high expectations, standards of service and consequential learning is experienced throughout. Students regularly interact with customers and develop essential social and communication skills. Our students complete tasks that are relevant, worthwhile and have real outcomes for the development of their own learning.

👏On National Supported Internship Day, we celebrate our interns currently on placement!Asher, Yasmine, Ryan and Elliot a...
27/03/2026

👏On National Supported Internship Day, we celebrate our interns currently on placement!

Asher, Yasmine, Ryan and Elliot are all continuing to succeed and develop at Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Dorchester.

Asher has massively increased his independence this term, moving much more freely between tasks set for him – whether that’s out on the restaurant floor or supporting food preparation in the kitchen. He is now taking steps to apply for jobs!

Yasmine continues to flourish on the wards, making patients smile and ensuring they are kept comfortable and refreshed. She is exploring a route towards working as a ward clerk.

Ryan has been gaining experience across the restaurant and the wards - trying different roles and discovering what best suits his skills and aspirations. As he heads towards the latter stages of his placement, he is full of ideas for his future, and we are all proud of his progress this year.

Elliot has also entered the job application stage and has set his sights on an apprenticeship next year. The feedback from staff at DCH has been fantastic, and he continues to grow in new areas within the kitchen setting.

🗣Tom Gordon from Dorset County Hospital recently shared: “They are all rock stars, and seeing how they’re growing is truly brilliant. I have to say that the foundation EMA has put in before they started their placement is a huge key to their success. It’s all positive!”

🌱Last but not least, Maisie is on placement with Dorset Community Action and has been working in Wareham as well as Moreton. She has been involved in plot preparation and planting at an allotment, continuing to gain experience using a range of tools, while working hard to maintain her focus and take on even more responsibility.

✅The feedback we have received from the professionals our Interns work alongside, their Job Coach, and our Careers Lead at EMA is filling us all with pride as we head into the Easter break. We are excited to see how everyone progresses in the coming weeks and months, and we send a huge thank you to our employment partners for giving our young people these amazing opportunities to develop their skills and explore their path towards a career!

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🌳EMA OPEN DAYS - April 2026 - Book your campus tour today!🌳🟢 Preparation For Adulthood🟢 Support For Employment🟢 Supporte...
25/03/2026

🌳EMA OPEN DAYS - April 2026 - Book your campus tour today!🌳

🟢 Preparation For Adulthood
🟢 Support For Employment
🟢 Supported Internships

Book your guided tour today and get a first-hand look at the diverse pathways and facilities we offer young people with SEND in Dorset. We provide tailored support and specialist environments designed to help young people achieve and build their independence.

🗣“I looked at many colleges, but they didn’t seem to fit my characteristics and what I was looking for. EMA just stood out – it was the perfect fit. It was everything I was looking for in a college. My timetable is nicely done, and I think the teachers here are really nice and friendly and they have kind voices!” – Charlotte, EMA Student

🗓Moreton Open Day - Tuesday 28th April
🗓Gillingham Open Day - Thursday 30th April

📧office@employmyability.org.uk,
📞 01929 405685

We look forward to seeing you!

📣Stop by The Coach and Horses Wimborne in Wimborne this Thursday to find out about Supported Internships!Parents, carer...
16/03/2026

📣Stop by The Coach and Horses Wimborne in Wimborne this Thursday to find out about Supported Internships!

Parents, carers, young people and SEND professionals are encouraged to attend and meet with EMA staff at our partner venue for a chat and to get a closer look at what a Supported Internship can offer and how the placements work.

👨‍🍳Our Greene King Supported Internships are for young people with an EHCP who are looking to kick-start their career in the hospitality industry. Interns are supported by a dedicated job coach while developing real skills at their own pace.

🗓Thursday 19th March
🕚11am-2pm
📍Coach & Horses, Poole Road, Wimborne

FREE to attend. Please RSVP via our website here: https://employmyability.org.uk/supported-internships-drop-in-sessions/

✅ John accessing the community and building his independence!We're kicking off the week with more success from the Gilli...
16/03/2026

✅ John accessing the community and building his independence!

We're kicking off the week with more success from the Gillingham campus for John. Following on from his amazing progress story at the start of 2026, he continues to make huge steps towards independence and has been accessing the local community every Monday.

💪 The local leisure centre
🏀 Basketball court
🛒 Independently shopping at the supermarket

🗣 "These successful and regular visits to spaces in the local community for John are the result of tailored support, preparation and trust-building, enabling his motivations, and he’s continuing to do amazingly. He is following instructions with minimal support and showing that he understands community-based activities with basic safety in mind – following safety and social expectations with a familiar adult. We are all very proud of him." - Sarah, Tutor at Gillingham

From travel training and road safety to understanding how to use money and taking part in physical activities to promote wellbeing, trips out into the community give our students many opportunities to develop their skills as they progress towards adulthood. Keep it up, John! 👏

😃A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by to speak with us yesterday at The Careers and Apprenticeship show at The Bi...
13/03/2026

😃A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by to speak with us yesterday at The Careers and Apprenticeship show at The BiC! We met so many people, had brilliant conversations, and saw a few familiar faces as well - fellow professionals, and even former EMA students.

Staff from our education and EMA Social Care teams were there to share info on everything we do across our college campuses and adult social care services in Dorset. A very busy day, surrounded by lots of amazing employers and services for young people. 👏

📣If you missed it, don't worry - our education OPEN DAYS are coming up in April, and of course, we welcome tours and taster sessions all year round.

🗓Moreton Open Day - Tuesday 28th April
🗓Gillingham Open Day - Thursday 30th April

BCP Council | Dorset Council

More National Careers Week highlights!Last week we had visits to Moreton from Haven, The Crumbs Project, NHS Dorset Reac...
09/03/2026

More National Careers Week highlights!

Last week we had visits to Moreton from Haven, The Crumbs Project, NHS Dorset Reach Drug & Alcohol Services, and Dorset & Somerset Training Provider Network () all to share information on services, and career opportunities available to our young people, along with their own various jobs and career stories.

👏A huge thank you to all the professionals who stopped by to provide engaging sessions with our students. Even though National Careers Week has wrapped up, we still have more visits in our calendar!

📣Calling Dorset parents, carers and young people - we are attending the Careers and Coffee SEND Session in Dorchester on...
07/03/2026

📣Calling Dorset parents, carers and young people - we are attending the Careers and Coffee SEND Session in Dorchester on Saturday 14th March and we encourage you to stop by!

We're joining a range of provisions in Dorset, coming together to offer free information about the opportunities we offer young people with SEND looking to take their next steps.

📍Dorchester Baptist Church
🕥Saturday 14th Mar - from 10:30 am to 11:30 am

We look forward to seeing you there! 😃

🎫Reserve your FREE ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/careers-and-coffee-dorchester-sen-friendly-tickets-1836921574879?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Dorset Council

🟢 REMINDER! - Our Supported Internship Drop-In session takes place on Monday (9th March) at our partner venue The Red Li...
06/03/2026

🟢 REMINDER! - Our Supported Internship Drop-In session takes place on Monday (9th March) at our partner venue The Red Lion, Poole. Stop by and meet with EMA staff to learn all about how our placements can help young people with SEND kick start their career in hospitality.

✅In partnership with Greene King, our Supported Internships enable the development of skills in an industry setting with a national employer, at your own pace, with support from a dedicated job coach.

Parents, carers, young people and SEND professionals welcome to this FREE event.

📣Looking to learn more about EMA? Next week we will be attending The Careers and Apprenticeship show at the Bournemouth ...
05/03/2026

📣Looking to learn more about EMA? Next week we will be attending The Careers and Apprenticeship show at the Bournemouth International Centre. Stop by on Thursday 12th March to meet EMA staff and discover the diverse range of educational pathways we offer for young people with SEND.

We'll also be joined by staff from EMA Social Care who will be sharing information about their support services and locations across Dorset.

We look forward to meeting you!

BCP Council

As part of National Careers Week, Tom Gordon from Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust joined us at Moreton Villa...
04/03/2026

As part of National Careers Week, Tom Gordon from Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust joined us at Moreton Village Hall, where he hosted an interactive workshop for our students, and current supported internships interns, giving them the opportunity to learn about the diverse range of jobs within the NHS.

🩺Students took part in team-based games and got hands-on with the simulation equipment, allowing them to learn about first aid and even life-saving techniques.

🗣Student Aaron, said: “It was a really eye-opening day. I was aware of some of the jobs already, but this showed me so much more. I made sure to put my hand up at the end to show my interest in learning more about what I can do next. I got to chat to Tom, who was friendly and helpful, and I’m hoping to visit the hospital soon to see it all for myself.”

🗣Student Jasmine said: “I got to practise chest compressions and it was such hard work! It was an amazing day though. I’m already thinking about the future and what jobs I'd like to go into. I'd like to make sure I know first aid so I can help out if someone is having a medical issue, it would be a good skill for me to have"

A huge thank you to Tom for spending the day with us. A brilliantly engaging session for both students and staff to learn more about careers in the NHS.✅

👏Amazing work from Kody - stepping up yet again to help run events at Moreton.As featured in The Walled Garden Moreton b...
02/03/2026

👏Amazing work from Kody - stepping up yet again to help run events at Moreton.

As featured in The Walled Garden Moreton blog this month. Kody has been volunteering his time to help with Bug & Exotic Animal events - joining the Animal Care professionals in introducing the animals to members of the public during half-term in educational hands-on sessions.

This is not the first time Kody has helped out with an event, he has now completed four exotic animal events, speaking to groups of 20 people or more at a time, and also been a part of our Provider Access Events in December for the past two years running, representing EMA alongside our staff to parents, carers, and professionals. ✅

🗣️"When I first joined EMA I couldn’t imagine doing something where I had to speak to large groups of people or members of the public, but now it’s no problem at all and I love doing these. The more I do them the easier it gets. I love learning about the animals and sharing that knowledge, and it really helps with my anxiety. I’m very happy to do the events!” – Kody

👏

📣It's National Careers Week and we have a busy few days which will allow our students to meet with professionals and exp...
02/03/2026

📣It's National Careers Week and we have a busy few days which will allow our students to meet with professionals and explore their futures!

"This week a range of employers and services are joining us to talk about careers in their sectors and the next steps available to our students.

We always value visitors who support career learning, but this week our students are taking an even deeper dive into their potential futures. Through their 'All About Me' activities and interactive discussions, they’ll have the chance to explore work and talk openly about their aspirations. It will be an incredibly valuable week for us all!" - Shannon Ford, Career's Lead at EMA

We look forward to sharing a few highlights as the week goes on. 😃

National Careers Week |

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The Walled Garden
Dorchester
DT28RH

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm

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About Us

Employ My Ability, based at The Walled Garden, Moreton and Thorngrove Garden Centre, Gillingham, is a unique place for our students, staff and customers. We provide many different vocational training opportunities within our commercial settings. Alongside the acquisition of work-skills, training and real life work-experience we enable our students to leave with worthwhile qualifications and a pathway into employment within their local community. Our students and service users engage with personal timetables and work alongside our tutor-trained industry professionals to develop understanding of the skills required for the workplace. Students follow the Employ My Ability Curriculum and access the wide variety of extra-curricular activities that this offers. With visitors, tourists and regular customers being drawn to our site throughout the year, we set high expectations, standards of service and consequential learning is experienced throughout. Students regularly interact with customers and develop essential social and communication skills. Our students complete tasks that are relevant, worthwhile and have real outcomes for the development of their own learning. The team welcome you to see the opportunities available at Employ My Ability.