Eluned Watson

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]

Performers from a Derwen College received three standing ovations from more than 5000 people when they performed on the same stage as singers Pixie Lott and Craig David, and met television personality Rylan Clark-Neal.

Derwen College sign, song and dance group Derwen on Tour (DOT) performed in front of their largest ever audience at a nationwide Premier Inn Celebration in Hampshire this week (19^th September).

Students from the specialist Shropshire further education college took to the stage with an audience of 5,000 people at the hotel’s star-studded annual celebration at Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre.

The group was made up of a mixture of experienced and newer DOT members. Three Derwen College graduates returned as guests to join in the momentous occasion, whilst student Ben Moore-Hill only joined DOT this term.

Former students Thomas Shacklady, Amy Roach and Sara Tustin stayed at Derwen College’s Short Breaks provision to attend rehearsals with DOT. The three were greeted back onto campus like celebrities.

Sara said: “It’s weird to be back but when I had the email asking me, I immediately said; ‘Yes, yes, yes!’”

Offering advice to newer members of the group, Sara said: “You have to be committed and have determination, and just enjoy yourself!”

DOT opened the party with choreographed sign and dance routines to Wham! classic ‘Wake Me Up Before You Go, Go’ and ‘This Is Me’ from The Greatest Showman.

Second year student Ben – who joined DOT just this month and has had only three rehearsals – has previous street dance experience and wanted a new challenge.

“It’s a good thing to learn to do new things. I was bit confused to start with but am learning the moves. Everyone has been very positive and helped me.”

Teacher and DOT choreographer Jessie Vaughan commented:

“We felt honoured to be asked to perform by Premier Inn at such a high-profile event. It was an emotional and amazing experience.

We have staged shows at many fabulous events including Llangollen International Eisteddfod and Christmas lights switch-ons, but this was by far our largest audience to date.

“We were delighted that Sara, Amy and Thomas returned to make guest appearances, and thrilled to welcome newest DOT member Ben whose first ever performance will be in front of 5,000 people!”

Two former students were very welcome surprise additions to Derwen College’s Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon team effort on Sunday, 8^th September.

Team Derwen comprised of 10 staff and friends along with former student Adam Ffoulkes-Fenner who travelled all the way from Croydon to complete the 13.1 mile race. Adam, who completed his time at the specialist college in July, ran the race in a brilliant time of 1 hour 49 minutes, despite having never run anywhere near this distance in the past. He was accompanied on the challenge by Derwen College Sports Co-ordinator Steve Evans.

Another former student George Raffle, a member of Altrincham and District Athletics Club, completed the course in 1 hour and 43 minutes.

For the rest of the team, it was more about completing the course than for records set. The entire team ran, jogged, limped and walked the course around the picturesque mid Wales lake, with everyone making it to the finish line in more or less one piece.

Horticulture teacher Paul Moss returned from injury to finish with a great time and Senior Safeguarding Manager Paul Bradshaw was delighted to complete his first ever half marathon. Other Team Derwen participants were Ffi Lewis, Liv Evans, Eluned Watson, Steve Evans, Sarah Bennett, Siobhan Williams, Erin Fletcher and Rosie Keaney.

Team Derwen were raising funds for Derwen College Charity, and have already accumulated £900 of their £1000 target. The money will go towards supporting students with special educational needs and disabilities in their learning, work placements, wellbeing and independence.

Fundraiser Anna Evans thanked the team and Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon race director Janet Roberts.

She said: “Thank you so much to everyone in Team Derwen who took part in the Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon. Each and every one completed the race and did Derwen College proud. It was made even more special by having two ex-students take part as well. Well done Adam and George!”

If anyone would like to support Team Derwen’s fundraising then please go to http://bit.ly/LakeVyrnwyHalf