Archives for February 2020

Proud to be Makaton Friendly at Derwen College

21st February 2020 by Eluned Watson

Derwen College Head of Speech and Language Therapy Julie Hawkins is a Senior Makaton Tutor, and a firm believer in the power of Makaton.

She explains why Derwen is a proud advocate of Makaton.

Derwen College Makaton — Julie Hawkins delivers Makaton training to staff

Derwen College is incredibly proud to be officially Makaton Friendly. Makaton offers students with special education needs and disabilities (SEND), and communication difficulties, a helping hand to be heard.

It is vital that students are understood, and that they be given every opportunity to communicate feelings and needs. Makaton signs and symbols support communication and increase understanding. This helps to extinguish some of the frustrations that students feel at not being understood. Using Makaton, staff can better explain what is expected of students and to communicate clearly when there is an issue.

As a College, we are proud to be able to offer Makaton expertise. I am a Senior Makaton Tutor, and also have a team of two trained Regional Makaton Tutors and six Local Makaton Tutors.

The college is delighted to host The Makaton Charity’s Study Day on 21st February. It is an opportunity to showcase our work with Makaton.

Support Work apps

We are particularly pleased to showcase ground-breaking ‘Support Work’ apps. The apps, which can be used on a tablet or mobile phone, support students to access work, using Makaton to prompt students. Apps which have been developed with help from The Makaton Charity include a CV Builder App, and Working in a Premier Inn app. We believe that these apps are the first of their kind to help students with SEND in accessing work. Using images, video, words or Makaton sign options, students are guided step-by-step towards creating a CV. Hospitality students working in the college’s training hotel and at work placements are prompted gradually through ‘routes’ on how to make up a Premier Inn guest bedroom.

Having our own Makaton Tutors means that all staff have access to mandatory Makaton taster and the new Level 1 and Level 2 training. Symbols and signs are used in reception, food outlets and garden shop. Symbols are used as signage, on posters, college leaflets, student timetables and on the college website. Makaton can be embedded throughout learning and independence skills. It is not only for students with specified communication or SALT needs.

Spreading the Makaton word

As well as facilitating the use of Makaton across college, Derwen is keen to spread the word locally, regionally and nationally. As a Senior Tutor, I am asked to train new Makaton tutors for The Makaton Charity. At Derwen College, we are able to teach Makaton to groups in the community or to invite groups to come to us for workshops. Derwen runs courses on or off site, and has visited schools, groups and businesses. The college has hosted and led Makaton Taster Sessions which have included teaching horse-related signs at a Riding Centre and festive signing for potential Santa’s Grotto employees.

The college also raises awareness of Makaton with our fabulous sign and dance group DOT (Derwen on Tour). They have performed at events including the National Eisteddfod, Christmas light switch-ons and a Premier Inn national conference, bringing Makaton to as wide and diverse an audience as possible.

We look forward to welcoming Makaton delegates to the college this month. And, to continuing to support The Makaton Charity in creating a more inclusive environment for everyone.

Rising stars at Derwen College

18th February 2020 by Eluned Watson

There’s no loafing about for industrious students at Derwen College, because they are delighted to be ambassadors for national Real Bread Week.

Students at the specialist further education college, in Gobowen, near Oswestry, have been busy kneading, proving and baking home-made bread to support the week which runs from 22nd February to 1st March. They have been asked to share their story with Real Bread Week as part of their Together We Rise campaign.

See our breadmaking video here.

Bread making is one of the catering skills; a skill that that they learn in preparation for employment.

Fresh loaves and rolls are also sold by Retail students at the college’s on-site Garden Centre Shop. and every Wednesday at Oswestry Market at Bailey Head, in Oswestry. So, from producing and baking bread, to labelling up and selling, the story of Derwen’s bread, shows how the college brings learning to life.

Teacher Paula Hampson supports students through their catering and bakery skills. She emphasises that there is a lot for students to learn on many different levels. As a teacher, Paula likes to get creative with bread, experimenting with different grains and shapes to support students’ learning.

She says: “The bread-making process is adapted for a range of students with different learning difficulties and disabilities. All can benefit from the process in some way, whether for their independence skills or for future employment.

“It is a pleasure to see students’ progress, and link their learning to baking for a commercial setting. Students can take pride in their produce being sold in our shop or at the local market.”

Students say:

Hospitality student Carys Williams said: “I really enjoy bread baking, especially the kneading, you have to put a lot of effort into it. I like the shaping as well, as you can be creative. Today is the first time I have tried to make a plaited loaf, and it’s turned out quite well.”

Retail student Sam Innes said: “I like working on the market every Wednesday, talking to customers and handing out samples of our home-made bread, jams and chutneys. As well improving my customer service skills, I help with the produce display, handle money, and encourage customers to come to our stall.”

For more information about Real Bread Week visit their website. To find out more about Derwen College’s vocational training and independence skills learning go to www.derwen.ac.uk. To discover more about the college’s food centre, garden centre and shop, restaurant and cafe go to www.visitderwen.co.uk

Nest Box Week at Derwen’s Garden Centre

13th February 2020 by Eluned Watson

Derwen College National Nestbox Week — Retail students have created a Derwen Nest Box Week display and a special bird lovers’ hamper.

We’re marking Nest Box Week at Derwen College Garden Centre with shopping, activities and special offers for fans of Britain’s much-loved feathered friends.

There’s something for ornithologists of all ages to do over the school half-term holiday week. Because, at Derwen College Garden Centre Shop, we’re celebrating Nest Box Week from Monday 17^th February to Sunday, 23rd February 2020.

We’re calling on young ‘twitchers’ to enter into the spirit of National Nest Box Week with a bird-spotting competition of our own. So, there will be five metal robins hidden around the shop for you to find. Every person who manages to identify all five will receive a sweet treat. Then all entries will be entered into a prize draw to win a special mini Nest Box Week hamper.

The shop is also offering 10% off the college’s upcycled birdboxes. These birdboxes were created by students as part of their work experience. There’s also a ‘buy one get one free’ offer on bags of bird food. So shoppers can to keep bird feeders and bird tables stocked through until spring.

Bird spotting

Over the winter months, Derwen College staff and students have been filling bird feeders outside the Garden Centre. Because of our effort we have spotted many regular visitors. These include two robins, a couple of plump pigeons, Great Tits, jackdaws and a little Jenny wren.

Garden Centre Shop commercial supervisor Sharon Jones says the team have enjoyed getting to know their winged visitors.

“We have lots to do over the half term week for bird lovers. We’d love shoppers to come and join in the competition, support birds in their own gardens, and spot some of the regular birds who visit the Derwen bird feeders. We even have a huge buzzard who regularly flies over the football field. We think he’s after the moles.”

Derwen College commercial areas provide work placements for students with special educational needs and disabilities. The site offers a Garden Centre and Shop, Garden Café with outdoor play area, Orangery Restaurant and a popular Woodland Walk.

National Nest Box Week is an annual event that takes place every year from the 14th to 21st February. It has been running for over 20 years and is now an important part of the ornithological calendar. St Valentine’s Day was chosen for the start of National Nest Box Week as it’s the traditional date when birds pair up for the new breeding season.

Derwen College talks Makaton

12th February 2020 by Eluned Watson

Derwen College Makaton Friendly Makaton Marketing Executive Sarah Drew — Makaton’s Sarah Drew explains why Makaton is so vital for communication.

Derwen College is proud to be Makaton friendly and to have a close working relationship with The Makaton Charity. But what is Makaton? Derwen asks The Makaton Charity Marketing Executive Sarah Drew some questions about The Makaton Charity.

What is Makaton?

Makaton is a language programme that combines signs, symbols and speech to provide multiple ways for someone to communicate. The use of signs can support people who have unclear or no speech. Symbols can help those who have limited speech and cannot, or prefer not to, sign.

With Makaton, children and adults can communicate straight away using signs and symbols. Many people then drop the signs or symbols naturally at their own pace, as they develop speech.

Makaton transforms the lives of those with communication difficulties by giving them a way to express themselves independently. This is is proven to overcome frustration and promote inclusion.

When was Makaton developed?

Makaton was developed in the 1970s as part of a research project by Margaret Walker, a speech and language therapist. She was helped by Kathy Johnston and Tony Cornforth. The name was invented by using the first syllables of their names.

How important is it the schools, colleges and other public places use Makaton to support communication?

Makaton is the UK’s leading language programme for adults and children with learning or communication difficulties. It is also used by everyone who shares their lives; for example, parents and other family members, friends and carers, and education and health professionals.

Makaton is used for teaching communication, language and literacy skills with children and adults who are at an early stage of communication and language development. This structured approach can also help people who are learning English as an additional language, helping them to communicate straightaway, while also supporting their learning.

Makaton is regularly used in schools and colleges, to support communication, language and literacy skills. Makaton symbols are widely used in public buildings such as schools, hospitals, courts and libraries, to help people find their way around. So, you may be using Makaton in daily life without even knowing it.

How have you seen awareness of Makaton grow?

In recent years, we have seen Makaton grow enormously. We now have more than 700 Makaton Friendly organisations that make their services accessible to children and adults who use Makaton, including four Makaton Friendly Towns where the whole community has learnt Makaton. Makaton is used on television, including BBC’s award-winning Something Special, Emmerdale and recently stars of Strictly Come Dancing have started signing to make the programme more accessible. We have strengthened our overseas partnerships so that Makaton is use in many different countries.

Are there any common misconceptions about Makaton?

A misconception about Makaton is that it will stop a child from speaking. However, research has shown that using signs and symbols actively encourages the development of speech and language skills. When using Makaton we always speak while we sign or use symbols to make the link between the sign/ symbol and the spoken word. Many children then drop the signs or symbols naturally at their own pace, as they develop speech.

Do you have a favourite Makaton sign?

I like the sign for ‘Calm’, it is a relaxing sign to do and to watch!

What happens at the Makaton Study Day?

The Study Days are for our licensed tutors – they are required to attend one at least every two years for their professional development. Study Days share information and news about updates and developments at The Makaton Charity, give the tutors space to share best practice/stories/ideas/resources, and include some skills practice. We have 37 tutors booked onto our next Study Day at Derwen College plus speakers.

What made you choose Derwen as the venue for your Makaton Conference 2020?

We hold 10+ Study Days every year in different venues around the country, including some suggested by our tutors. We thought of Derwen because of our relationship with Senior Makaton Tutor Julie Hawkins who is head of Speech & Language Therapy at the college.

What new initiatives does The Makaton Charity have planned for the future?

The Makaton Charity is currently undergoing a digital transformation which will be rolled out this year. This will improve access to Makaton signs/symbols, videos, resources and more. Through the new digital platforms that are being introduced, Makaton will offer an extensive membership package, with annual membership programmes for those that wish to become ‘Makaton Friendly’ partners.

The Makaton Charity would like to widen access to the Makaton Language Programme and develop and expand our community offer enabling broader usage of sign and symbols throughout communities across the UK. By increasing the wider usage of Makaton, especially in essential services such as doctor’s surgeries, banks, post offices, police and fire stations etc, we aim to improve the quality of life for millions of people who traditionally have struggled to get their voices heard.

Archives for February 2020