Eluned Watson

It was a testing time for students at Shropshire’s Derwen College when they competed in skills competitions against Sheffield-based Landmarks Specialist College this week.

Students at the specialist college, near Oswestry, competed in quizzes focusing on Hospitality & Catering, Customer Service and Travel and Road Safety in online competitions against Landmarks College.

The challenges were held virtually through Zoom via the Kahoot quiz app, and allowed students to take part whether they were currently learning from home or college.

Derwen College learners performed well despite the unusual circumstances. College Pathway Leads Alison Adams and Sioned Davies said they were very proud of their students’ achievements.

• In the Customer Service competition Aaliyah James was first, Adehle Stafford was third, Sam Innes was fourth and Tom Alexander was runner-up.
• In the Catering and Hospitality competition, William Chapple was awarded third place.
• In the Travel and Road Safety competition, Millie Clarke was fourth.

Alison Adams, Hospitality & Housekeeping Pathway Lead, said:

“The competitions held via Zoom with Landmarks College were a great success. All students did extremely well to focus on competitions during what has been a very different Summer term for everyone. Credit should also go to the dedication of the staff and parents who worked with the students to prepare them for this week, and to our colleagues at Landmarks College for organising the event.”

Derwen College Garden Centre and Gift Shop, near Oswestry, is delighted to welcome back customers from the 20^th July.

Safety measures have been put in place to ensure that visitors to the popular Garden Centre and Gift Shop, as well as the Garden Café, in Gobowen, can once more browse, shop and enjoy home-made refreshments.

The Garden Centre and Gift Shop opens with a grand sale in selected areas including special offers on David Austin roses, shrubs, alpines, seasonal plants, and gift shop ranges.

Regular customers will find some changes at the Garden Centre to keep staff and shoppers safe. The Centre has been designed with a new one-way system including separate entrance and exit. Shoppers are asked to use contactless payment where possible and to make use of the hand sanitiser stations. Staff will be available at the entrance and the exit to guide and support customers to shop safely.

The Garden Centre Gift Shop will offer the usual favourites such as home-made cakes, jams and chutneys, and gift items made by students. It will also be selling a range of hand-made cotton face masks with a variety of designs available. The Gift Shop food area will offer a fabulous new range of fruit and vegetables.

The Garden Cafe has a specially selected menu, including customer favourites, home-made cakes and hot and cold drinks. The cafe will feature table service to reduce contact between staff and customers. Tables have been spaced out to maintain social distancing rules, and contactless payment is encouraged where possible.

The Garden Centre will be open seven days a week from 10am-4pm and the Garden Cafe will be open from 10am-3pm.

Commercial manager Pete Evans said that the team were over the moon to welcome back customers.

He said: “We are delighted to be able to welcome back customers to the Garden Centre, Gift Shop, and Garden Cafe. During lockdown, we have been grateful for all the messages of support, and now it’s wonderful to be finally reopen our doors, again. We have been incredibly busy making sure that the shopping and café experience is safe and enjoyable, and are excited to meet and greet everyone soon.”

For more information click here.

First year Creative Arts student Geraint enjoys the college sports facilities, swimming pool and gym, takes part in basketball and football sessions. His first love is performing arts; he is part of Derwen College’s Makaton Choir, enjoys dance, and is looking forward to being involved in future College shows.

We asked Geraint and his mum Sarah about how they discovered Derwen and what Geraint has enjoyed over this first term at Derwen.

How did you first find out about Derwen College?

I was visiting my nephew who was an in-patient at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital in Gobowen. I was looking for books and educational items for him to make his stay more stimulating and I came across the Derwen Garden Centre by chance. Meeting disabled people working there, I remember thinking ‘how cool is this?’ I asked a member of staff to tell me more and she explained it was a college for people with special educational needs and disabilities. I went home and did some research, wondering if it would be a place my son might fit into to learn theatre skills alongside receiving the speech therapy he needs.

When you visited, what made you and Geraint think that it was the right place?
Seeing other students with Down’s Syndrome (currently 16% of Derwen students) made me feel that this would benefit Geraint because he’d just be part of the ordinary everyday which is what we both want. I was particularly interested in the performing arts aspect and I was able to visit a performance class which really grabbed my interest.

How did you find the Admissions process?
The admissions process initially seemed daunting but I managed to work through it. I was supported by the team of professionals around Geraint back home who all felt excited about the idea of letting Geraint have the going away to college experience, a long-standing ambition of mine for him.

Did you know from the beginning which pathway Geraint wanted to follow?
Creative Arts – in particular the performance and theatre aspect which is Geraint’s long-standing passion. His ambition is to perform on stage. I believe theatre is a helpful subject to pursue because of Geraint’s severe communication disabilities and need for speech and language therapy. Theatre can be so empowering in this context.

What does Geraint enjoy most about his time at Derwen?
Geraint says: ‘shopping, music, going bowling’. He likes engaging with the staff. He’s proud of moving on from the family environment.

What has Geraint learnt over his time at Derwen?
Geraint is learning to transfer skills he learned at home – such as keeping his room organised, helping with shopping, planning meals – into a new environment in his residency. He’s always been helpful, he is still! It’s great that he’s broadened his horizons to move on to new things.

Where are Geraint’s aspirations for the future?
Geraint wants to learn to be a performer, go on stage and entertain people. He’s The Greatest Showman!

What makes you proud to support World Down Syndrome Day?
People with Down’s Syndrome are rightly stepping up and self-advocating. I’m delighted to see people living with Downs becoming visible, active members of society; as talented, engaging individuals. World Down Syndrome Day aims to raise the profile of people living with the condition and I wholeheartedly support it. It’s also such a fun day for everyone, and right now we all need some extra fun.

Watch Derwen College’s World Down Syndrome Day video here.