Bury Market teams up with local college

Aspiring market trader Elliot Sayers (18) is being coached in realising his dream by some of Bury Market’s best.

Elliot, who is autistic and in his second year at Salford’s Langdon College, expressed an interest in being a Market Trader, and when representatives of the College asked if Bury Market could assist in providing some ‘on the job’ training, four stallholders quickly came forwards with opportunities to come and learn the ropes on their stalls.

Chana Yuchetel, the college’s work placement co-ordinator, said: “All students go out to work experience weekly, and these work experiences reflect their future job aspirations. Elliot would like to build up his skills on a market with a view to possibly having his own stall in the future. He has really enjoyed his first few weeks at the market and has gained skills in face-to-face customer service, using the till, handling money and time management. We are absolutely thrilled that he is getting this experience and are very grateful to the traders who agreed to be involved as well as to Bury Market who jumped at the chance to help us!”

Steve Moloney, who owns Bury Market Hall’s BBQ Barn, is a long-term supporter of the charity ‘Stepping Stones across the Spectrum’ and so was the obvious first choice for involvement in the project. Steve and Elliot (pictured on the stall) have established a good rapport and in Steve’s own words: “Elliot quickly got involved and would make a good market trader; charming, witty and with great customer skills. The important point is that autistic children become autistic adults and it was a pleasure and a privilege to help. Good luck Elliot, from myself and all the staff at BBQ Barn.”

Langdon College, named after Margaret Langdon who was a prominent Jewish philanthropist, is the only national independent specialist college for Jewish students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, autistic spectrum conditions and communication/behavioural disorders. It offers day and residential places and aims to ensure that those it supports have the same opportunities as their peers to experience the satisfaction that comes from a good day’s work and the chance to enjoy a full social life.

More information on Langdon College can be found here: http://langdonuk.org/

ENDS

Press release issued: 9 March 2018.

Picture: Elliott Sayers (right) with Steve Moloney working on the BBQ Barn Stall on Bury Market.