SEVERAL men and women with learning disabilities from Cam and Dursley have earned an award for their commitment to developing new hobbies and skills.

The Gateway Award, created by learning difficulties charity Mencap, is a national activity award scheme which encourages people to seek out new experiences.

Five people on the Gateway Award programme at GL11 Community Hub in Cam completed five activities each to earn a bronze award.

The award process began in March last year. Each member of the group had to develop a new hobby, rack up a set amount of hours hours volunteering in their community and acquire new independent living skills.

To contribute towards their Gateway Award the group also undertook the John Muir Award, an environmental award scheme, at Westonbirt Arboretum.

The John Muir award involved three different days of conservation awareness training, learning new woodworking skills and outdoor cooking. The aim of the John Muir Award is to connect people with nature and to encourage care for wild places.

Anne Swayze, of Dursley, was presented with her bronze certificate with the group last month.

“I felt great receiving award, I felt like I have really achieved something,” she said.

“My favourite part of the award process was the Westonbirt visits and learning how to start a fire.”

Fellow volunteer Rose Higham added: “Confidence is what I gained from the Gateway Award and I now volunteer at GL11 Café in the kitchen.”

The group has already started working towards the silver award, and have even picked up some new recruits.

For anyone who is interested in joining the Gateway Award group, they meet every Wednesday at 10am to 2pm. The group costs just £1 per session.

Mencap works in partnership with people with learning disabilities and provides services to support people in their lives.