Summary
Strawberry Field
Owned by the Salvation Army but made famous by the Beatles, Strawberry Field has a long standing connection with young people in Liverpool. In October 2019, the gates opened to the public for the first time ever.
Alongside a vibrant visitor experience that includes a multi-media exhibition telling stories from Strawberry Field, the song and John Lennon’s early years highlight the unlikely parallels between the Salvation Army and the Beatles, a coffee shop and gardens welcome the local community onto this iconic site.
The Steps to Work programme reaches out to young adults aged 18 – 25 with learning difficulties or other barriers to employment through a training hub on the lower ground floor. Thanks to a partnership with the City of Liverpool College and the investment of local businesses and organisations, Steps to Work can offer a 12-18 month programme that combines education and work placements to ensure trainees are truly work ready.
Trainees may come to the programme through referrals from the college, other organisations or by applying directly through the website. They will then attend an informal interview before being invited to join. Work coaches will support trainees as they spend two days a week at work in an industry of their choosing. Trainees will undertake up to three work placements, which will last for 12 weeks and for a maximum of 12 hours per week. Each placement will give trainees the opportunity to practice and consolidate skills learned by attending two days a week at the college.
Following work placements and upon completion of a college course in a corresponding area, trainees will look for work with the full support of our employability expertise, gained through partnership with the Salvation Army Employability Services. Work coaches will continue to support trainees into their new jobs.
The Strawberry Field Steps to Work Programme is the first of its kind in the UK. With core values of generosity and inclusivity, we will call on the open hearts of businesses and individuals in Liverpool to see the value in diversity.