OUR  JOURNEY

 

Our aim is to support individuals in developing the essential skills and understanding needed to thrive in everyday life and within their community. We focus on:

Developing social interaction skills and the ability to work positively as part of a team

 Promoting respect for others, including understanding personal boundaries and personal space
Building awareness of health and safety practices in both workplace and home environments
Encouraging individuals to develop independence through planning, organising and managing their day effectively
COGS Prepares 4 Life CIO provides day opportunities for adults with learning disabilities in Burntwood and surrounding areas.
Nestled in the beautiful Burntwood countryside, just off the A5190 between Lichfield and Cannock, COGS Prepares 4 Life CIO provides high-quality day opportunities for adults with learning disabilities, autism and other complex needs.
We believe everyone should have the opportunity to lead a fulfilling life, develop their abilities and play an active and valued role within their community. Through work-based learning, practical activities and meaningful experiences, our members build new skills, develop friendships and gain the confidence and independence needed for everyday life.
We offer flexible full-day and half-day opportunities from Monday to Thursday, creating a supportive and welcoming environment where individuals can learn, grow and achieve their personal goals. We also offer a taster day, allowing potential members to experience what we do and see if COGS Prepares 4 Life CIO is the right fit for them.
We are passionate about promoting independence, which is why we do not provide transport. Instead, we support individuals to develop their own travel skills through personalised travel training. This gives our members the confidence to travel safely and independently within their local community, including using public transport such as local bus services.
At COGS Prepares 4 Life CIO, we celebrate individuality, encourage independence and help people prepare for life with confidence.

Our History

COGS Prepares 4 Life CIO was established in response to a need for more diverse day opportunities in Burntwood and the surrounding areas. We recognised a lack of services offering practical, work-based learning environments for adults with moderate to severe learning disabilities, particularly opportunities focused on gardening, woodwork and hands-on skills development.
Our aim was to create an alternative to traditional classroom-based learning, providing individuals with the opportunity to learn through meaningful, practical activities in a supportive and inclusive setting.
Originally developed as a training environment for Cherry Orchard Garden Services CIC, COGS Prepares 4 Life CIO has grown naturally into a valued day opportunity in its own right. Today, we provide a welcoming environment where individuals can develop skills, build confidence, form friendships and take an active role within their community.
About COGS Prepares 4 Life CIO
COGS Prepares 4 Life CIO is a community-focused charity dedicated to supporting adults with learning disabilities and people who face barriers to independence and inclusion.
We provide a safe, welcoming and supportive environment where individuals can develop confidence, learn new skills and achieve their personal goals. Through practical activities, training opportunities and meaningful experiences, we help our members build independence, self-esteem and a sense of purpose.
Our work focuses on encouraging everyone to take part, discover their abilities and play an active role within their community. We believe that every person has potential, and we are committed to helping people prepare for life with greater confidence, skills and opportunities.

 

What we do

With many years of combined experience within health, social care and support services, our dedicated team provides personalised day opportunities designed around the individual needs, abilities and aspirations of the people we support.
We are committed to creating a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment where individuals can develop skills, build confidence, achieve greater independence and enjoy meaningful opportunities within their community.

 

🌻Gardening Skills🌻

As part of our COGS Prepares 4 Life curriculum, our service users develop practical life skills through gardening. They learn how to prepare the soil, sow seeds, water & care for plants, remove weeds and observe growth over time. Through these hands on experiences, learners build responsibility, patience, teamwork and an understanding of where food comes from, whilst taking pride in caring for their environment.  

🔨Woodwork Skills🔨

Our woodwork sessions provide learners with the opportunity to develop practical skills while creating meaningful projects for the community and local wildlife. Service users learn how to safely use tools, measure, mark, cut, sand, assemble, and finish a variety of wooden items, including bird boxes, hedgehog houses, bug hotels, and bird tables. Through these hands-on activities, they build confidence, improve problem-solving and teamwork skills, and take pride in producing high-quality items that support nature and enhance outdoor spaces.


 

These transferable life skills promote independence, build self-confidence, and help learners become active, valued members of their community.

Independent Living Skills
🏡

At COGS, we support learners to develop the practical skills they need to live as independently as possible. Through activities such as cooking, shopping, travel training, and budgeting, service users gain confidence in managing everyday tasks. They learn about the value of money, making informed choices, planning journeys, preparing healthy meals, and shopping within a budget. 

Machine Maintenance
🛠️

Learning how to care for and maintain equipment is an important part of life at COGS. Service users are taught how to safely inspect, clean, and look after the tools and machinery used on site, helping them understand the importance of regular maintenance. 
From changing the oil and filters on a lawn mower to servicing hedge trimmers and keeping hand tools clean and in good working order, learners develop practical, transferable skills while promoting safe working practices.


These sessions build confidence, responsibility, and an appreciation for looking after equipment to ensure it remains safe, reliable, and fit for purpose.

What others say

"I'd been to visit many other day services and colleges to see where I wanted to go, but as soon as I visited COGS Prepares 4 Life CIOfor a taster day they made me feel so welcome and included I didn't want to look at anywhere else"

Service User

"The quality of the plants, fruit and veggies are what makes me come back to buy from COGS prepares 4 Life CIO regularly. It's a great way to help my local charity for their contribution to the community, and the prices are fabulous!!"

Customer

Find Out More

We welcome visitors who would like to come and experience COGS Prepares 4 Life CIO for themselves. Whether you would like to take a look around our facilities, meet the team, or simply drop in for a coffee and an informal chat about how we may be able to support an individual’s needs, we would be delighted to welcome you.
To arrange a visit or find out more about our day opportunities, please get in touch:
Telephone: 01543 676443
Email: cogspreparesforlife@gmail.com
COGS Prepares 4 Life CIO
(Rear of) Burntwood Memorial Community Association
Rugeley Road
Burntwood
WS7 9BE


 

 

© Copyright COGS Prepares 4 Life CIO - Charity Number 1154296