“Amazing and impressive” were the words BCP Council’s Leader used to describe her first visit to BCHA.

Councillor Vikki Slade visited the charitable housing trust’s BCHA Learn centre in Palmerston Road, Boscombe on national Employability Day (30 June) to meet staff, learners and tutors.

For the last 50 years, BCHA has been providing a diverse range of housing support and learning centres for socially excluded people across the South West.

Through its BCHA Learn arm, the organisation supports hundreds of people each year through small group programmes.

Courses include those which help improve employability and mental health and wellbeing, give an introduction to volunteering, offer qualifications and develop skills for work or further education.

Cllr Vikki Slade

Cllr Slade said: “It has been fascinating to learn about the work being done by BCHA Learn to support and enrich so many people’s lives.

“It’s amazing and deeply impressive and I look forward to working with this fantastic organisation further.”

Cllr Slade was joined by Councillor David Brown, the council’s portfolio holder for Health and Wellbeing.

Val Jefferies, Project Manager for BCHA Learn, said: “We were delighted to welcome councillors Slade and Brown to BCHA Learn on Employability Day.

Val Jefferies

“Like BCHA, this national awareness day seeks to highlight and break down the many barriers to people finding meaningful employment.

“Councillor Slade was impressed to hear about the ever-growing number of learners we are attracting and the effectiveness of our courses in helping people make positive changes in their lives.

“We were very encouraged to hear of BCP council’s pledge to support those who most need it in our society and very much look forward to lending our expertise to assist in that shared goal.”