At Derwen College, in Shropshire, there is a mission to educate, inspire and empower young adults with a range of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to lead the lives they choose. For the majority, this means taking their rightful place in society and enjoying meaningful work, and the chance to move out of the family home.
These are aspirations that most of us take for granted for ourselves and our children. Yet statistics from BASE (British Association for Supported Employment), show that in 2020-21, just 5.1% of adults with learning disabilities aged 18-64 were in paid employment.
Charity Mencap campaigns for everyone’s right to employment. The charity’s message is that ‘People with a learning disability have a right to work.’ Like them, we see employment and independence as fundamental parts of life.
The High Street
Derwen College offers opportunities to more than 130 students from across the UK. We are privileged to have our own commercial ‘High Street’, which includes a garden centre and gift shop, café, charity shop, restaurant, print shop and mini hotel. These are open to the public, and provide regular work experience to our students, in areas which are relevant to their learning and ambitions.
The ‘High Street’ also showcases our work to the community, and raises awareness of the capabilities of our students, helping to overcome misperceptions about employing young people with additional needs.
We firmly believe that visitors to our shops and eateries gain as much from meeting our students as our students do from practising their employability skills. Our reviews certainly reflect this, and we’re always delighted to hear from satisfied customers such as John (Google reviews):