Student Jonathan has turned his Retail & Enterprise lessons into a thriving mini business, earning over £250 by selling clothes, games, and sportswear online – all while honing his online sales skills.
Jonathan is part of the College’s Retail & Enterprise pathway. Here students gain practical experience in the College’s shops and mini training hotel, as well as learning about Online Sales. Inspired by his Online Sales sessions, Jonathan began selling items on second-hand sales app Vinted during College holidays.
“I started selling my unwanted clothes, games, electrical items, and sportswear,” Jonathan says.
“I’ve learnt to take photos, write accurate descriptions, research fair prices, and package items safely before taking them to the local post office. I’m proud to have mainly five-star reviews from customers. I also enjoy making a bit of extra money and saving for the future.”
At College, Jonathan’s timetable is varied. He helps sort charity shop donations, carries out reception duties at mini hotel, Hotel 751, and enjoys an external work placement at Spar in Llanfyllin. Beyond work, he is a Student Council representative, a key member of the College football team, enjoys rugby at Oswestry Rugby Club, and supports his peers in weekly Independent Living Skills sessions.
Katie Roberts, Pathway Lead for Horticulture & Retail and Enterprise, says: “Jonathan is a brilliant example of a student putting College learning into practice. Running a mini enterprise involves marketing, photography, writing accurate descriptions, research, customer service, organisation, and travel training. Retail & Enterprise is all about preparing students for employment and helping them become confident, enterprising individuals. Jonathan is doing all of this brilliantly while earning a bit of money too.”
Jonathan’s ambition is to work in a sports shop after College. His story highlights how Derwen College equips students with special educational needs and disabilities with the real-life skills they need to be independent, confident, and achieve their future aspirations.