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 15th to 21st March, incorporating World Down Syndrome Day on Sunday, 21st 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.