Shop opens its doors to build skills for SEND learners

LEARNERS with special educational needs and disabilities will be able to develop their employability and independent living skills in a new shop opened at Lakes College.

Offering a range of products including snacks, drinks, toiletries, gifts, cards and branded merchandise, The Shop is open to all college staff, students and visitors.

The Shop was opened on Wednesday by Eliza Treme-Swailes, director of curriculum for general further education at the college, who marked the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

It will provide an invaluable opportunity for the college’s Pre-Supported Internship learners to gain practical, hands-on experience as part of their programme.

The initiative is part of Lakes College’s ongoing commitment to enhancing employability skills and fostering independence for learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Eliza Treme-Swailes said: “The Shop is a key part of our Learning Company model used in the Foundation Learning area to support the development of employability skills for our SEND learners.”

The Pre-Supported Internship programme at Lakes College is specifically designed to give SEND learners real-world work experience by allowing them to participate in college-run enterprises like The Shop.

This initiative is focused on building employability and independent living skills, while also incorporating essential English and maths practice in a professional setting.

Greg Stewart, who is studying on a pre-supported internship at the college, said: “In The Shop I’m learning business skills like ordering stock and selling things to customers.

“It will help me when I go into employment.”

Harry Johnson, who is also a pre-supported intern, added: “The Shop is helping my maths skills by using the till to help me with making change and adding up numbers.

“It is also helping me by counting the stock we have”

This new initiative represents Lakes College’s ongoing mission to support students with SEND in their transition to adulthood by providing them with practical skills and real-world experiences.