Employ My Ability

15/06/2026

🏆Maisie just keeps breaking down barriers, and everyone at EMA is incredibly proud to share that she recently took home the Supported Internship Award at the Dorset Apprenticeship Awards!

🗣“I feel awesome, and cool, and grateful. It is an honour to win the award!” – Maisie

Maisie is approaching the end of her EMA Supported Internship with Dorset Community Action, where she joined the GreenCare team to continue developing her horticultural skills.

🗣“We are so pleased that Maisie has won the award. She has been progressing well and brings a smile and a can-do attitude to the team. Maisie has been learning how to use gardening tools, as well as how to plan jobs and allocate time to complete work. We know she is also looking forward to her brushcutter training so that she can work with the team on strimming jobs. This will be another huge step forward for her.” - Lydia, Dorset Community Action

Maisie's parents have also shared a few words on her achievements:

🗣"We are so proud of Maisie. We have seen her grow in maturity during her time at EMA, taking greater responsibility for everything she does and developing in both skills and confidence. EMA has facilitated so much of this and has worked closely with us to support her.

This support has allowed Maisie to explore and clearly communicate what she wants her future to include. Working as a student at EMA and on her Supported Internship with the GreenCare team has strengthened her love of gardening and developed her skills so much that she is now also a volunteer gardener for the National Trust. The future is bright and she is looking forward to everything that comes next"

Everyone at EMA would like to congratulate Maisie on this fantastic achievement. Winning this award is a testament to her hard work, determination and positive attitude, and we cannot wait to see where her passion and commitment takes her. 👏

Dorset Chamber

29/05/2026

⚠️ Our EMA Website and Emails are undergoing some maintenance today. Please bear with us as we may not receive your emails during this time. If you do need to contact us, please call us directly instead. Thank you!

📞01929 405685

22/05/2026

📣Still time to apply! We are hiring across a range of roles in Dorset, some with closing dates soon.

🟢 Deputy Head of Education, Gillingham North Dorset
https://employmyability.org.uk/deputy-head-of-education-gill-2026/

🟢 Speech & Language Therapist - Gillingham
https://employmyability.org.uk/job-speech-and-language-therapist-gillingham-dorset/

🟢 NEW - Office Receptionist & Administrator, Moreton
https://employmyability.org.uk/job-office-receptionist-administrator-may-2026/

Find all the details on our website. 🙂

12/05/2026

✅Creativity and Confidence on Display: Sophie’s Art Exhibition

Supporting students to build confidence and strengthen communication with others is a key part of the experience at EMA, and student Sophie has worked hard recently to develop these skills. Today, she held an exhibition of her personal art pieces as a way to step out of her comfort zone and share her passions with students and staff at college.

🎨Sophie set up a room with different pieces she has produced, and talked visitors through her work and her thought process behind the different styles, textures, and ideas – with everything from textiles, collages, drawings, paintings, and hand-painted models. Some were finished, some were works in progress – the room showcased a diverse mix of styles and feelings, and she was happily able to chat with people about everything on display.

🗣“When I was at school I never felt like I was any good, and that my drawing was rubbish, but as time has gone on I’ve tried to dedicate more of my free time to practising my techniques and trying different styles. I’ve always been so nervous about what people might think, and even when they say something is good I have a hard time believing them, so I’m trying to push myself to be better and put myself out there.” – Sophie

🗣“She has made excellent progress in communicating with other people who are interested in her art. Previously she was worried about people being judgemental, but now she is able to accept that there is genuine interest, and she can be proud. This is a great achievement in helping to meet her social, emotional, and mental health needs.” – Anthea, Learning Support Worker

🔗Hear more from Sophie, on our website:
https://employmyability.org.uk/student-art-exhibition/

08/05/2026

Want to work at EMA? Take a look at the latest job listings on our website!

🗣"EMA is a fantastic place to work. Even though I’ve only been here a short time, I’ve been made to feel very welcome and part of the team. I love working here because it gives me the opportunity to provide meaningful support to our young people, and see the amazing progress they make first-hand." - Sarah, Tutor

🗣"Working at EMA offers such a variety – each day is different, bringing opportunity to learn and grow! I love being part of the incredible team of warm dedicated people who truly care and help to make EMA a welcoming and inclusive environment for both staff and students alike." - Cassandra, Education Administrator

🗣"I have been at EMA for over 4 years and it's such a lovely place to work. Seeing the difference you can make providing support, encouragement and belief in the students is so rewarding." - Kerry, Learning Support Worker

If you’re interested in joining a dedicated and friendly team committed to supporting young people with SEND in education and their next steps, and feel one of our current roles could be right for you, we’d love to hear from you!

All details can be found on the website (link in comments!). 😃

05/05/2026

💼Job: Deputy Head of Education, Gillingham North Dorset

🌳EMA is seeking an experienced and passionate individual to join us as Deputy Head of Education, supporting the leadership and development of our specialist education provision at our Gillingham campus in North Dorset.

Please visit our website for the full details and an application form. Thank you!

🔗 https://employmyability.org.uk/deputy-head-of-education-gill-2026/

EMA is seeking an individual to join us as Deputy Head of Education at our specialist education provision in Gillingham, North Dorset.

27/04/2026

We're excited to welcome people to our campuses in Moreton and Gillingham this week as we host our EMA Open Days - AND our Supported Internship Drop-In session in Dorchester 😃

These events allow parents, carers, and young people to get a first hand look at all the diverse opportunities we offer individuals with SEND in Dorset. We look forward to meeting you!

🌳Moreton Open Day - Tues 28th April
🕒10am-2pm
📍Moreton Campus, The Walled Garden Moreton, Dorset

💼Supported Internship Drop-In - Tues 28th April
🕒3pm-5pm
📍5 Antelope Walk, Dorchester

🌳Gillingham Open Day - Thurs 30th April
🕒10am-2pm
Gillingham Campus, Common Mead Lane, Gillingham, Dorset

All details for these events can be found on our website. Get in touch today to book your open day guided tour, or RSPV for the supported internship drop-in!

23/04/2026

🌱Developing skills and promoting positive wellbeing at the allotment!

Our Seed2Plate students Dylan and George, along with Dorset Community Action Supported Internship intern Maisie, have shown amazing determination and teamwork as they bring their allotment project in Wareham to life. During the wet weather, they spent time carefully planning the space, and now they’re making those ideas a reality - building not just growing beds, but confidence and independence too.

🗣“We have dug over and weeded the plot, measured out and put together the bed sections. This week we will be putting the plastic growhouse together and levelling out the beds, ready for planting next week.” - Lydia, Enterprise Co-ordinator for Dorset Community Action

✅These hands-on activities help develop and hone practical skills, concentration, problem-solving, and a strong sense of ownership over their work. Each step of the process gives students the opportunity to work collaboratively, and see the direct results of their efforts.

👩‍🌾Projects like Seed 2 Plate go far beyond gardening. They support physical wellbeing, encourage responsibility, and provide a calm, therapeutic space where students can thrive. The results so far show what our young people are capable of achieving when given the opportunity and support to succeed.

We’re excited to see how the allotment grows over the coming weeks, alongside the skills and confidence of the students themselves!

22/04/2026

📣EMA is hiring! We currently have a wide range of job opportunities at our specialist college here in Dorset. 😃

🟢 Pastoral Lead – Moreton
🟢 Curriculum Quality Coordinator – Moreton/Gillingham
🟢 Preparation for Adulthood & Next Steps Coordinator – Moreton/Wareham
🟢 Skills for Employment, Training & Personal Development Tutor – Moreton
🟢 Learning Support Worker – Gillingham
🟢 Education Administrator (Maternity Cover) – Moreton
🟢 Speech & Language Therapist - Gillingham

Also from EMA Social Care
🟢 Day Opportunities Support Worker – Gillingham

🔗 Detailed listings, job descriptions and person specifications can be found on our website: https://employmyability.org.uk/jobs/

If you’re interested in joining a dedicated and friendly team committed to supporting young people with SEND in education and their next steps, and feel one of these roles could be right for you, we’d love to hear from you!

21/04/2026

📣EMA EVENTS NEXT WEEK!📣

Stop by to discover all the pathways we offer young people with SEND in Dorset!

🌳Moreton Open Day - Tues 28th April
🕒10am-2pm
📍Moreton Campus, The Walled Garden Moreton, Dorset

💼Supported Internship Drop-In - Tues 28th April
🕒3pm-5pm
📍5 Antelope Walk, Dorchester

🌳Gillingham Open Day - Thurs 30th April
🕒10am-2pm
Gillingham Campus, Common Mead Lane, Gillingham, Dorset

🟢 Preparation For Adulthood
🟢 Support For Employment
🟢 Supported Internships
🟢 Transitions

All details can be found on our website. Get in touch today to book your open day guided tour, or RSPV for the supported internship drop-in!