The facilities at Coleg Gwent鈥檚 Adult Skills Centre in Usk offer adults with mild to moderate learning disabilities everything they need to develop skills, socialise with others and fulfil their potential. Here, they can enjoy wide open spaces and a safe rural setting, with experienced and qualified staff making their experience fun, friendly and meaningful.
For over 30 years we鈥檝e worked with local authorities and directly with individuals, tailoring each student鈥檚 experience to their own individual needs and helping them develop a whole range of skills:
Social and Independence
Building confidence, developing independent thinking, making good choices and taking responsibility
Health and safety
Including safety in the home, at work, wellbeing and personal hygiene
Cookery and food preparation
Preparing healthy meals and snacks, shopping for ingredients and baking cakes
Horticulture
Planting, watering, potting on, feeding, nurturing and harvesting plants, flowers and vegetables
Animal Care
All aspects of looking after our furry friends
Community Involvement
Taking part in local community projects, volunteer opportunities and social events
Access to education
The Centre is an integrated environment that acts as a community hub, taking a supportive approach and encouraging independent thinking, learning new skills and community participation. It鈥檚 a fun environment giving students opportunities to socialise, as well as to provide respite for carers.
Open Monday to Friday, 9.30am-3.30pm, 48 weeks a year
To find out more or arrange a trial at the Centre call聽01495 333687.
What our students think
Kate Bass,聽31 from Abergavenny
Without the support from staff, Kate wouldn鈥檛 have had the confidence or motivation to learn to drive, but she鈥檚 now had a number of lessons and is ready to take her theory test.
鈥淚 can鈥檛 wait to pass my test. 聽It will mean I don鈥檛 have to rely on my granddad to drive me 鈥� I鈥檒l have my independence and more freedom. 聽I wouldn鈥檛 have taken the plunge without the encouragement from the staff at the Centre. I鈥檝e got some good friends here 鈥� the other students and staff are really nice. 聽I enjoy looking after the rabbits and the chickens, and watering the tomatoes and the hanging baskets. Coming to the Centre two days a week has really improved my confidence which has made me enjoy the rest of my week even more 鈥� I volunteer at a charity shop, play in a darts team and present my own show on Able Radio.鈥�
Luke Davies,聽21 from Monmouth
Since starting at the Centre two years ago, Luke鈥檚 conquered his shyness and is now on a mainstream agriculture course planning to get a job on a farm.
鈥淚 left school and started at the Centre when I was 19 and at first I was very quiet and shy, but being around other people in such a friendly environment helped bring me out of my shell. I really enjoyed gardening at the Centre and being outside, so I chose to do a Level 1 agriculture course. 聽I鈥檝e learned to look after the animals, operate farm machinery and drive a tractor, and I鈥檓 looking forward to starting Level 2 in September. I still pop in to the Centre to see everyone and I still get as warm a welcome as I did on my first day, and feel just as at home.鈥�
Jim Smith,聽54 from Rogiet
Jim has been coming to the Centre for over 20 years and has enjoyed every minute, but he鈥檚 especially happy with the improvements that have been made in the last 12 months.
鈥淭he Centre is a very important part of my life so it鈥檚 great that the staff have spent time doing it up. 聽It鈥檚 a very friendly group of staff and I get on with the other students too. I like to be busy which is great at the Centre as there鈥檚 always something to do 鈥� painting the garden furniture, maintaining the minibus and watering the gardens. I鈥檝e also done a number of courses whilst I鈥檝e been here which has given me skills I use every day 鈥� gardening, personal progress, managing money and healthy living.鈥�