Work-ex challenge offers Victoria new skills

Joanne Beaumont (47), who runs Beaucrafts Reloved Wood on Barnsley Road in Highgate, Goldthorpe, is offering work experience to Dearne Advanced Learning Centre pupil Victoria Kica.

The 15-year-old has been picking up valuable business skills and develop her artistic abilities during the two-week opportunity.

As reported previously,, Joanne opened her shabby chic, handmade crafts and woodwork boutique just before Christmas in a modified butchers shop and has attracted custom and interest from near and far.

Joanne, the daughter of a joiner and carpenter, has always enjoyed working with wood but it was after developing epilepsy following a head trauma and the resulting difficulties finding the right medication that she took time to think about running a shop.

Now she wants to encourage young people to gain confidence and explore their abilities by offering work experience.

Joanne said she will be teaching Victoria skills such as creating window displays, putting together artistic pieces, dealing with customers, and about running a small business.

Joanne said she was happy to see Victoria smiling as she worked, adding: “When she first came to me we did a few stencils and now she has sold three out of the four."

Victoria has also been developing her skills with woodwork, pottery and glasswork.

Jaonne said she believes pupils sometimes lose confidence at school because they cannot offer exactly what teachers expect, but work experience offers a way to help them find “another way in”.

Victoria said she was enjoying her work experience at the shop and hoped to benefit from it.

She said she had already done web design work and some work on crafts.

She said: “I think this will make me more confident around people because at the moment I am not that confident in myself.

“I like working at the shop because everyone is really friendly.

“My parents think it’s really good that I am doing this because I can get out of the house and learn something.”