My name is Ian and I have been with Take Charge for 6 months.

I went to Rumney college in 1983-1985, and learned reading and writing amongst other things. After that I went to the Skill Centre in Gabalfa and learned about electronics, office work and woodwork. Then I went back to Rumney college for a computer course and went to work in Sportsflair in Canton, and Marks and Spencer in Pentwyn, sorting out stuff for the warehouse and shop. It was a big warehouse but it wasn’t too hard work; I did this for eight years but then they had to close the warehouse down in August 2000.

I used to go to Sbectrwm in Fairwater. I used to do gardening – planting, potting, weeding, digging and hoeing.

After that I started at Amelia Trust Farm in Barry and Oaks Garden Centre in Heath. I’m still at the farm and enjoy working there all year round. At Xmas I make decorations out of wood from the farm. I still work at the Oaks as well, potting on, planting, and helping the customers in the summer.

With Take Charge I have helped on the Elf committee and the Xmas fair, done training in health and safety and know your rights and a quiz trail in Victoria Park.

I enjoyed wrapping presents for the Xmas fair and I am going to help to help the staff at Amelia Trust farm with health and safety checks. I’ve met new people and enjoyed going to the activities.

In the next few weeks I will be making table centrepieces, doing First Aid training and a confidence building course.