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Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards- a lasting legacy

18th April 2021 by Eluned Watson

Derwen College joins Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards providers across Great Britain and the Commonwealth in thinking of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, his family, and his legacy: The Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Awards.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards are a lasting legacy which have truly changed the lives of many thousands of young people. Derwen College has been running the DofE programme since 2014, and was the first provider in Shropshire to run the scheme for participants with special educational needs and disabilities.

We know from talking to students and their families, how this unique experience has helped them to develop and grow, offering them skills which can change their lives.

Steve Evans, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) Award Coordinator at Derwen College, believes that:

“The DofE award supplements everything else we do in College in terms of developing independence and gaining skills for life. Individually and as a group, participation in the DofE gives all students an opportunity to be independent, to grow in confidence and be challenged. A challenge that sees the development of new skills and attitudes to be a more rounded, confident young adult”.

Here are just a few of the student stories which show how the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards have inspired some of our students and former students.

Student stories

Anna’s new found confidence after DofE Awards enabled her to achieve employment after leaving College.

Caitlin and her family have seen her achieve things that they never thought possible.

Her dad says: “The programme gives Caitlin great pride. It makes her feel like she is part of something. She likes to get out and do things and try things. The programme is also a wonderful way to connect with the community – be it the people with whom she is working to achieve the awards or the people she encounters in undertaking the awards such as when she volunteers.

“The programme has given her responsibilities and the ability to try different things she probably would not have tried on her own. It has certainly challenged her and made her – and us – aim higher!”

Oliver achieved his Gold award and has gone on to employment and independent living in his own flat.

He says: “I really enjoyed my DofE and liked working as part of a team. I had a great sense of achievement when I finished each section. I was excited to go to Buckingham Palace to collect my Gold Award.”

And Adam discovered he had untapped leadership skills. These, along with new-found confidence, have helped him go on to further training at College.

He says: “Being on DofE expeditions made me feel more relaxed and motivated me to overcome challenges. It gave me a great sense of achievement and taught me new practical skills. I sometimes find it hard to focus on a task but with DofE I was engaged which made me more confident and keen to take on more of a leadership role.”

Euan is on the way to achieving his Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. He finds the awards motivating and engaging.

Dad Jim says:

“Euan loves the outdoors and is very inquisitive. He loves to be active and above all else he likes camping and all things that happen associated with camping, such as campfire activities.

“Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has given him a focus when he has been at Derwen College, and he loves to carry on activities when he’s at home. Over the February half term, we did lots of walking and even a night out in the tent!”

Thank you to the Duke of Edinburgh for creating these life-changing awards which mean so much to us at Derwen College.

We look forward to carrying on working towards the awards, and hope to be able to return to expeditions. Work also continues on our new dedicated Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards outside area.

Watch this space for more details soon …

Students star in Down Syndrome campaign

14th March 2021 by Eluned Watson

Derwen College is privileged to have worked on a project promoting a message that we feel very strongly about.

Derwen College has worked with NHS Acute Trust in Croydon to raise awareness of people with Down Syndrome in the workplace.

The foundation was keen to promote and support opportunities for work for those with learning difficulties. Like Derwen College, they recognise that people with learning difficulties have important skills to offer and are a valuable addition to the workplace.

Derwen College, in Shropshire, is a further education college for young adults with a range of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We support students to develop work and independence skills. Equipped with these skills, students can aspire to their ambitions on leaving College. Currently, a quarter of our 121 students have Down Syndrome.

So, for Down Syndrome Awareness Week (from 15^th to 21^st March, incorporating World Down Syndrome Day on Sunday, 21^st March) students in Performing Arts, and other work pathways, were challenged to create a video as part of our Performance Production work experience placement.

Performing Arts lead Jessie Vaughan said:

“Students were tasked with creating a short clip from home to promote the many abilities that they have. We all have something amazing to offer, and our students are absolutely no exception!”

Derwen College is an award-winning specialist further education college. Students, aged 16-25 years old, receive the learning and work experience to support them into employment and supported living. Work-based pathways offered at College are: Performing Arts, Retail & Enterprise, Gardens & Plant Production, Hospitality & Food, Learning for Life.

This video is being showcased in the Croydon area. We also wanted to share it on our social media sites.

Derwen launches cracking Easter Charity Challenge

23rd February 2021 by Eluned Watson

Fundraiser Anna Evans shows off the medals that every competitor will receive.

A virtual Easter tour across Britain is the latest charity challenge hatched by Shropshire’s Derwen College.

Staff at the Gobowen-based college for young adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have organised The Derwen Easter Charity Challenge. This is a 2000-mile tour of Britain, visiting the regions and towns the college’s students, past and present, all hail from.

The virtual route takes in all the mainland capital cities and stretches from Cornwall to Perthshire. Places visited represent areas across Britain students come from to attend Derwen College.

The college is calling on walkers, runners and cyclists to get involved and take part in this new event which takes place from Monday, 29th March to Sunday, 11th April, during Easter holidays.

Participants can walk, run, cycle, swim or even Easter bunny hop, any distance they choose. Every mile helps, and the distance they cover will be added to the overall total.

With milestones dotted along the route, participants will receive messages from students and ex-students welcoming them to their home county. Some messages will also explain how funds raised during the challenge help students gain important work and independent living skills.

Derwen College – leading the way in career development

3rd February 2021 by Eluned Watson

Derwen College is a finalist in the UK Career Development Awards. The College was shortlisted in the Careers Programme in a Special School/College category. The College is delighted to be recognised for its innovative approach to careers development.

Being shortlisted in the prestigious careers awards, recognises Derwen College’s efforts in supporting students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) towards future employment.

Derwen College is proud of its robust careers programme which includes innovative new Support Work apps. These apps are geared towards providing students with the information and skills they need to become work ready and more independent after college.

Working with app developers Starfish Labs UK, and part-funded by Marches LEP, the College has developed a CV Builder app. We believe is the first of its kind to be designed with a focus on people with SEND. The app allows users to populate a CV with minimal support, using words, Makaton symbols, videos or photographs. The app then allows students to independently send the CV to a potential employer. They can also attach video and photographic evidence of their employment skills.

Derwen College Careers teacher Siobhan Williams recently showcased the app to employers who were members of Shropshire Chamber of Commerce. Employers agreed that seeing students showcasing their skills was more useful than a written list of qualifications.

‘Very excited’ about CV Builder app

Heather Noble of Oswestry-based business and training coaching company Salt Solutions said:

“I’m very excited about the CV Builder app. Not only because it will allow people with special educational needs to compete in the workplace, but because it will enable employers to receive concise, relevant and appropriate information about a potential employee. Especially from an employee who might not ordinarily be able to convey their strengths.

“As a young person, finding things to put on a CV can be particularly challenging when experience is limited. This tool will help both employee and employer to share information simply. From my point of view, I particularly like the video element which allows employers to see the individual as a whole person not just as a few facts and figures. I don’t see any reason why, in time, this app couldn’t be rolled out to mainstream job seekers. It could help support an job seeker in putting their best foot forward.”

Derwen College CV Builder app (part of Support Work apps) — Amy updates her CV using the Derwen-developed CV Builder app.

Winners of the awards will be announced in a virtual award ceremony on 10th March.

Looking ahead to Skills Live @Derwen 2021

Derwen College Principal Meryl Green said: “We are thrilled to have been shortlisted in the UK Career Development Awards. This is recognition for the continued work we do to support our students into employment.

“The Support Work apps are just part of our ongoing commitment to being innovative and forward-thinking in providing opportunities for students to achieve their goals.”

The College is pleased to have launched Skills Live @Derwen 2021. It runs from 1st-5th March to coincide with National Careers Week. Students aged 16-25 year olds with SEND from across the UK can compete to showcase work skills they have learnt at College. Schools can also take part in fun have-a-go sessions. So, if you are a college, school or business who would like to take part or fine out more, go to www.derwenskillslive.co.uk

A blooming triumph in challenging times

13th January 2021 by Eluned Watson

Horticulture student Will and teacher Will have been busy cutting back and clearing in the Walled Garden for winter.

Specialist further education college Derwen College is delighted to be praised for its hard work in challenging times by UK-wide horticultural campaign Britain in Bloom.

The Walled Garden at Derwen College, in Shropshire, has been recognised by Britain in Bloom because of its important place in the community.

The garden was presented to Derwen College, near Oswestry, from the Shropshire Horticultural Society in 1989. And, it continues to to provide learning and work skills for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Judges awarded Derwen College Walled Garden with a Gold award in 2019.

Students on the College’s Horticulture pathway, tend the garden as part of their learning and work experience. Visitors to Derwen College’s Garden Centre and Shop, and Garden Café enjoy spending time in the tranquil space when they are able to visit.

In 2019, the beautiful Walled Garden scooped a top prize of a Gold/Outstanding Award. This was in the Royal Horticultural Society-run Britain in Bloom competition in the category called ‘In Your Neighbourhood’. For 2020, judging was not able to happen in the same way. However, Derwen College was thrilled that The Royal Horticultural Society and Heart of England in Bloom presented the College with a Certificate of Recognition.

Community spirit

RHS Community Development Manager Kay Clark said:

“This year, an amazing sense of community spirit has enabled people to face the difficulties of this dreadful pandemic together. Through Bloom, It’s Your Neighbourhood, and other community gardening activities you have laid the strong foundations that helped make communities more resilient in these testing times.

“People have felt closer to nature through lockdown. So, they have valued access to green space so much more. We have heard that people are valuing your work more than ever before.

“We want to recognise how important you all are, and how valuable your work is.”

Derwen College Principal Meryl Green was delighted with the recognition.

She said: “We are over the moon that the hard work of our Horticulture students and staff has been recognised during a year like no other, where everyone has had to pull together to do the very best that they can in exceptional circumstances.

“We are very proud of our Walled Garden which is a beautiful, tranquil space that is enjoyed by students, staff and the community. We look forward to being able to welcome back visitors in 2021.”

Find out more about a pathway in Horticulture at Derwen College here.

Christmas visit from Promise

15th December 2020 by Eluned Watson

Mother and son Sue and Tom Prisk, from London shop and online community interest company Promise in Store, visited Derwen College this term. They came to collect Christmas cards, jams and chutneys to sell to festive shoppers.

Derwen College is very pleased to supply goods and printing services provided by Retail and Hospitality pathways to Promise: a business that shares the College’s goals and values. Promise in Store sources beautiful gifts and cards from across the UK which create training and employment opportunities to people with learning difficulties and disabilities.

Owner Sue Prisk and her son Tom – a former student at Derwen College – visited College in the run-up to Christmas. They came to pick up beautiful Christmas cards which have been printed by Retail students at the College-run Karten Print Shop.

Sue Prisk said: “We believe everyone has the right to work, to develop skills and to be creative. It is important that we work with organisations like Derwen College, that provide quality products and support the employment of people with learning difficulties, disabilities, or need a bit of extra support in society.”

“We work in partnership with a range of organisations across the UK to source beautiful gifts, and we build and nurture these partnerships”

Work experience

Cards with a range of designs were printed by Retail students as part of their work experience at Derwen College.

Promise in Store also sells a range of award-winning Made@Derwen jams and chutneys made by Hospitality & Housekeeping students. These are made in the College’s Food Centre and labelled by Retail students.

Picking up stock from Derwen College is a journey down memory lane for Tom Prisk, who has Down’s Syndrome. Tom was a Retail student at the College, and used to work in the Karten Print Shop.

Tom, who is 24 years old and finished at College in 2018, said: “I like coming back to see the College. I liked working with Jerry in Karten Print Shop when I was here, as well as in the farm shop.

“There have been a lot of changes since I was here, but it brings back memories.”

“I learnt a lot about working in retail, and also about cooking and independence skills.”

Find out more about Promise in Store here.

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