FST SALFORD
Location: The Edenfield Centre, Prestwich, Manchester
- About the project
- Business Services
- Work placements
- Work-related skills and qualifications
- Referrals
- Our funders
- Contact us
About the project
FST Salford was set up in 2002 in The Edenfield Centre – a medium secure unit in the north west of England for adults with mental health problems. We are there to provide work-based opportunities to the 100+ patients, both men and women.
Our project provides a fresh approach within a secure unit giving people the chance to rediscover old skills and learn new ones and develop the routines and responsibilities of going to work on a regular basis.
Our most successful business strand in which workforce members play an active and critical role, is the design and print studio. Our customers, who commission us to produce professional-standard logos, leaflets, newsletters and other publications, include the Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. The feedback from our customer base is borne out by the fact that they come back time and time again. The amount of work we process has more than doubled since we introduced the service four years ago.
Business services
We provide the following services to private and corporate clients:
• Design and print production for logos, leaflets and posters, reports and booklets, greetings cards, banners (large and small).
• Catering.
• Contract cleaning.
• Car valeting.
Why I am a customer of FST
“Car was spotless. An excellent service and excellent results. Will definitely use again and recommend.” FST Salford customer
Work placements
Last year, a total number of 43 people took up work placements at FST Salford, including 44% of the women able to put themselves forward. We provide work and training opportunities in the following sectors:
• Design and print.
• Catering.
• Contract cleaning.
• Car valeting.
• Office administration.
Our work placements provide on-the-job training. We work with people on a ‘one-to-one’ basis using a personal development plan to review their progress. This provides us with a framework to agree or establish goals, identify skills gaps and give and receive feedback.
What I got out of FST Salford
“FST has given me the chance I have been looking for to keep some of my skills current in a less stressful but realistic environment. The managers are great, they are willing to compromise in discussion and take up suggestions where it is felt they would benefit the business and unlike occupational therapy sessions there is a real sense of purpose and achievement.” Workforce member
“FST helped me gain confidence in a proper working environment. I need to improve my skills and possibly obtain future employment in admin work. The staff have been very helpful and patient. I would like to gain a recognised qualification. In administration and improve my chances of a good career.” Workforce member
By joining our project, workforce members had the opportunity to acquire the following skills:
General
The basic skills required by employers such as timekeeping, ability to work in a team and a positive attitude towards work.
Office administration
All aspects of office administration including computer skills, data inputting, following office procedures etc.
Skills specific to design and print sector
Creative design.
Print production.
Customer service.
Account management.
Practical skills
Food preparation.
Painting and decorating.
Working with power tools (through contract cleaning and car valeting).
Qualifications available
• NVQ level 2 in Business Administration.
• BSC Level 1 Certificate in Health and Safety at Work.
• CIEH Level 2 Certificate in Health and Safety at Work.
• CIEH Level 2 Certificate in Food Hygiene.
FST Salford will support workforce members achieve higher levels of qualifications where appropriate, for example we hope to build on the success of providing NVQ in Business Administration, by extending this to our Desk Top Publishing and painting and decorating.
Referrals
• Self-referral.
• Occupational therapists.
• Ward staff.
• Consultants.
Our funders
FST Salford would like to thank our funders, North West Commission for Mental Health, for their continuing and generous support.
Contact us
Project manager: Ken Edwards
FST Salford,
The Edenfield Centre,
Bury New Road,
Prestwich M25 3BL.
Tel: 0161 772 3961
Fax: 0161 772 3960
Email: Please use our enquiry form
Visitor information
You must arrange your visit in advance and bring photographic ID.
By tram: get metrolink to Prestwich then 25 minute walk.
By car: park in visitors’ car park.