Oswestry town councillor Paul Milner joined Retail students at Derwen College, in Gobowen, printing a giant ‘Start’ banner for the upcoming Derwen College Sponsored Walk.
The councillor and Derwen College governor joined students working in the college’s Karten Print Shop to experience a day in the life of a Learning Support Assistant (LSA). LSAs play a vital role in supporting students with their learning, helping the teaching staff by ensuring that every student can make progress at their own pace and level. As part of his role, he helped students to create the massive banner which marks the beginning of the Sponsored Walk which will be held on 31st March.
As governor at the college for young adults with learning difficulties and disabilities, Paul is aware of the vocational and independence skills taught at the college but was keen to be more involved at ground level. This wasn’t his first experience volunteering at Derwen College, he has previously worked as ‘LSA for a day’ with the college’s Horticulture students.
He said: “I really enjoyed my time helping at Derwen. It was nice to see another aspect of the great work that the college does day to day, and to get to know the students and staff. Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) and teachers do such a great job working with and supporting the students.
“It was also great to talk to students about their experience at the college and see how well they worked together as a team,” he added.
Paul was keen to help create the banners for the college’s Sponsored Walk and Fun Run on 31st March. He will be working as volunteer marshal on the day, cheering on and directing walkers and runners.
He said: “The Sponsored Walk is such a lovely community event and one of the college’s biggest fundraisers of the year. I was more than happy to help, and hope that more local people than ever will turn out to walk or run the 10k course this year.”
The 10k walk, starting and finishing at Derwen College in Gobowen is a popular walk with students and their families as well as the local community. And for the first time this year, there will be the option to run the 10k route.
To register to walk or run, volunteer as a marshal or to sponsor a student email [email protected] or telephone 01691 661.
Find out more about volunteer opportunities at Derwen College.
