Enterprising students from the specialist education provider SWRAC are in full festive mode as they prepare for a stint in the Best of Bournemouth hut at the Alpine Market.
SWRAC, based in Wimborne, has six colleges across Dorset and the Liverpool area and works with young adults aged 16 to 30 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and 16-18-year-olds who require alternative educational provision to mainstream school or college.
Its programmes equip students with education and life skills and support them to follow routes into training, internships and employment.
SWRAC tutor Demi McGuinness said: “Students studying enterprise as part of the Prepare for Life and Prepare for Work programmes at our Boscombe college have been offered the Best of Bournemouth hut at the Alpine Market from November 13-22.
“This is both an exciting opportunity and a huge challenge, so they have been working very hard to plan their product lines, sales and marketing strategy.”
She continued: “The students will sell handmade festive decorations and gifts ranging from wreaths and tree ornaments to hand-printed goods. We’re very grateful to the market team who have given us this fantastic opportunity.
“The students have already made a great start on their crafts, and it is now full steam ahead to produce as much merchandise as possible before we have to start stocking the stall for our November 13th opening.”
Student Joe came to SWRAC after an accident two years ago left him with brain damage and unable to cope with the environment of mainstream school.
He said: “I’m enjoying being here and learning about building your own business. I have been making tree decorations and wreaths, and we are all looking forward to working on the stall and engaging with customers.”
Ezri, 18, has ADHD and epilepsy and was bullied at school and college for being different.
She said: “I can’t change the way I am, and here at SWRAC they don’t expect me to. They help you reach your potential, and I want to eventually work with animals, so anything that helps me move towards work is great.”
She added: “I think it’s going to be fun running the stall. We have put in ideas about what we are making, and I am hoping that when we set up it will feel like a proper business.”
The Best of Bournemouth hut started last Christmas and gives local people the chance to trade at the market for just one week, instead of a full six-week term.
Yamen, 17, said: “The Best of Bournemouth hut is in a good spot at the bottom of Richmond Hill, and we hope as many people as possible will come along, say hello and hopefully buy something.”
More than four million people attended Bournemouth’s festivities in 2024, in what was a record-breaking Christmas for the town.
The Alpine Market, set around The Square, comprises dozens of wooden chalet-style huts selling food, crafts, and gifts, and is a focal point of the celebrations.
Dave Johnstone, Marketing Manager of Seventa Events, which runs the Christmas festival said: “It’s important to us that the Best of Bournemouth hut gives back to the community and shines a light on local creativity.
“Supporting SWRAC and their students is a great example of how we can use the Best of Bournemouth hut and Bournemouth Christmas Market to celebrate the incredible talent we have here. These young people are producing fantastic handmade crafts, and we’re proud to give them a platform to share their work and spread some festive positivity.”