Archives for October 2019

Students from Derwen College visited Sainsbury’s in Oswestry to support the store’s Autistic Hour event.

Retail students from the specialist FE college for young adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including autism, visited the store to show their backing for the event. This is the third year that Derwen College has supported the initiative.

Students helped customers and Sainsbury’s staff, including General Merchandise and Clothing manager Laura Sandison, to make their own Autism awareness badges.

Sainsbury’s has teamed up with autism charity, the National Autistic Society, to support Autism Hour, where shops take steps to create a calmer atmosphere for 60 minutes. This offers autistic people a break from the usual overload of too much information. Simple measures such as turning down the tannoy, self checkout sounds and café music can make a big impact.

The store also took the opportunity to launch its nationwide rollout of sunflower lanyards to help enhance the shopping experience for customers with hidden disabilities. The discreet lanyards indicate that a customer may need extra support or time; they are available to collect free from stores.

Sainsbury’s Tammy Williams said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Derwen College students along to support our Autism Hour, to make badges and talk to our customers.

“We are pleased to be able to offer Autism Hours to make the shopping experience a less anxious one for people with autism. It was also a good opportunity to introduce shoppers to our sunflower lanyard initiative supporting people with hidden disabilities and conditions including autism.”

The students from Derwen College work in the on-site Karten Print Shop, where they produce the college’s marketing materials and undertake orders for outside local businesses. The college offers a wealth of work placement opportunities to students in its shopping and leisure areas which include The Orangery Restaurant, Garden Café, Hotel 751, and Garden Centre and Shop.

Derwen College was delighted to welcome 26 families to the college’s autumn term Open Day.

Visitors from across the UK attended question and answer sessions, spoke to expert staff across the college’s vocational pathway areas, and enjoyed have-a-go activities.

Staff and students from Hospitality and Housekeeping, Retail, Horticulture, Creative Arts and Works Skills areas showcased the college’s vocational learning. Pot planting, bread making,  screen printing and a workshop with sign, song and dance group Derwen on Tour (DOT) were just some of the hands-on activities available for prospective student to try.

Families were also given a tour of the college’s new hydrotherapy pool, training Hotel 751, day provision, residents’ accommodation and shopping and leisure areas. Staff and students were on hand to answer questions and to tell prospective families about independence skills learning, Student Voice, and sports and leisure facilities. The Admissions team were kept busy answering questions about how and when to start the assessment process.

It was also Open House at the college’s Short Breaks facility which offers a social holiday experience, independence skills learning and respite to young adults. Guests visited the accommodation and spoke to specialist staff about the opportunities provided by our Short Breaks.
Open Day co-ordinator Amy Snow said she was very pleased with how the day had gone, and delighted to meet so many families who were interested in Derwen College as a post-16 option.

She said: “We had 26 young people represented at the college, with some families travelling from as far afield as Kent and Buckinghamshire. We had many great comments and lovely feedback from those who visited; about how they felt they were welcomed, informed and supported in their journey to find the right college placement.”

The next Open Days will be held on 4th March and 17th June. For more information telephone Admissions on 01691 661234 or email [email protected]