Sense College provides personalised learning to a range of young people with sensory, communication and associated needs; equipping them with the education and skills they require in order for them to achieve their chosen independent living, education and employment goals. It is part of the wider organisation, Sense, whose vision is for ‘nobody to be left out of life’.
The college operates out of a number of geographically spread sites. Recently there has been an increase in interest in the Bedford area, resulting in the decision to open a new centre in Bedford itself. This, in turn, provided us with an opportunity to realise our vision of providing accessible small enterprise facilities; enabling learners to practice new skills and ‘learn on the job’ in a setting which bridges the gap between the classroom and external employment.
We already know that we have some very talented learners within the college but sometimes they need some additional support with communication, or they need to spend some time linking small steps together to achieve the ‘bigger picture’ of providing a service that others want or need. For some learners, increased autonomy and improved communication are goals in themselves; rather than employment.
A successful bid for Karten funding has enabled us to fit out an accessible IT suite at the new centre; utilising EyeGaze technology for some learners, and more accessible online learning in the form of a mobile tilting whiteboard and specialist keyboards and switches. This will open up a world of communication for some of our learners.
The enterprise room is kitted out with an exciting range of equipment; from hi-tech sewing and embroidery machines to mug and t-shirt printers and even a 3D printer. This means that learners can be involved in all stages of production and sale; from design, through manufacture, to taking and fulfilling orders. A small ‘shop’ will display college-made goods and enable learners to practice their retail skills.
The new facilities will be available not only to learners attending the Bedford centre as their base, but to learners from other college centres who can benefit from the equipment on offer. It will enable staff to learn and share new skills and techniques.
The first learners are beginning to transition into the new centre. During a first visit, one learner was asked what she thought. “I LOVE IT!” she replied emphatically. With that enthusiasm, and the generous support from Karten, we are looking forward to an exciting future!
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- This article was written by the Karten Centre
- Featured in the Karten Spring 2020 Newsletter
- This article is listed in the following subject areas: Centre News