An innovative student-led international project at Derwen College has received £1,500 from the Association of Colleges (AoC) Charitable Trust Lead the Change fund.
The funding will help bring to life a project that sees students share their ideas and experience with students at Gharnata Training Centre in Kuwait as they set up their own Student Council.
At the centre of the project are Derwen College’s elected Student Council members, who will lead an international skills exchange around leadership, representation, democracy and inclusion. Through online meetings and digital collaboration, students will team up with young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Kuwait, sharing how student voice works at Derwen College and exploring how it can grow in a different setting.
The project builds on Derwen College’s previous consultancy work in Kuwait with the Kuwait Society for the Handicapped, which helped support the creation of Gharnata as Kuwait’s first specialist further education college for young people with SEND.
Chance to build confidence and develop leadership skills
For Derwen College students, this is a fantastic chance to build confidence and develop leadership, communication and project management skills while representing the college internationally. Working with Learner Voice Lead Tabetha Crinson and Consultancy Lead Katie Roberts, they’ll play a big part in shaping and delivering the project. Students at Gharnata Training Centre will also benefit from peer support as they develop a strong new platform for student voice and representation.
The funding will help to cover practical expenses that would otherwise be covered by Derwen College, including administration costs, staff support and expertise and will also include a celebratory lunch for the students to recognise the achievement of their international relationship building and skill sharing.
Meryl Green, Principal and CEO of Derwen College, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to receive this support from the AoC Charitable Trust. This project reflects Derwen College’s commitment to empowering students with SEND to lead, influence and create positive change. It is a wonderful opportunity for our students to share their knowledge and experience internationally, while developing valuable leadership, communication and global citizenship skills of their own. We are proud to build on our partnership with colleagues in Kuwait through a project that champions inclusion, student voice and collaboration.”