The Countess of Wessex visits Cheshire and Sheffield

At David Lewis School, The Countess of Wessex formally opened a new education and skills centre, which includes a nature reserve.

Based in Cheshire, the school provides a range of education, residential and medical services to support adults and young people with complex needs, including learning disabilities, epilepsy and autism.

As part of the visit, Her Royal Highness visited the school’s ‘Top Farm’, where she panted a tree as part of a new 23-acre wood development.

There was also the chance to take a tour the farm. With a range of animals from pigs, goats, ponies, donkeys, alpacas and wallabies, the farm provides an opportunity to develop practical, transferable work skills.

Next, The Countess travelled to PACES in Sheffield, which is a leading specialist centre for children with Cerebral Palsy and other motor disorders.

At the centre, Her Royal Highness presented a British Empire Medal (BEM) to one of their pupils Tobias Weller, who, at 11-years-old, is the youngest recipient of a BEM.

The medal is awarded for ‘hands-on’ service to the local community, and Tobias, who has both Cerebral Palsy and Autism, was awarded his for his fundraising efforts for PACES by walking a marathon.

The Countess then travelled to Blend Kitchen, where she met employees, tutors and trainees at the social enterprise that provides hospitality training and paid work experience to Sheffield’s most vulnerable and disenfranchised people.