Ysgol Y Deri set to open vintage style store in Penarth

The retail unit, Hubbub, will provide work opportunities for young people with additional learning needs

Ysgol Y Deri is set to open a vintage store in Penarth town centre in September - serving as a retail training facility for its current and past pupils with additional needs.

'Hubbub' aims to provide lifelong employability skills for sixth form pupils at the school, which gained national fame after featuring in BBC documentary 'A Special School'.

Pioneered by the school's Curriculum Lead for Careers, Stacey Long, Hubbub's inception came upon discovering that only four per cent of adults with additional learning needs in Wales are paid in employment. 

It's hoped that by providing work experience at Hubbub as part of their curriculum, the volunteers will get the lifelong skills that will improve their career prospects when they finish school. With the pupils actively running the store, their mission sets themselves apart from other stores in Penarth town centre.

Having previously raised £25,000 for a new minibus to transport them to work placements, Ysgol Y Deri's sixth form pupils' next challenge will be to raise £5,000 for a new shop frontage, so that it is made to be accessible to all of its pupils, staff and customers. 

Stacey Long said: "Hubbub will be a self-funded project, so we will be partly reliant on grants, donations and kindness of others. We are also seeking local makers to rent shelves for their products as well as any sponsorships from the local community. 

"Every little bit of support will help in providing opportunities for our pupils, so they get the equal career opportunities they deserve. We have a lot of exciting plans, including a launch party in September, where we'll want to bring the Penarth community together to thank them for their support."

If any local businesses are able to offer any support, donations or just a helping hand ahead of Hubbub's September opening, get in touch with Stacey: [email protected]. 

For more information about Hubbub, visit its Instagram page.