Three Seashell Royal College Manchester students have completed an accredited NCFE (Northern Council for Further Education) CACHE (the Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education) Certificate in Personal and Social Development with Communication Matters and Creativity in Practice. The qualification supports learners with communication difficulties to develop fundamental skills in using AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) to confidently act as role models to other people that use low or high tech communication devices.
Verity Elliott, Manager of Creativity in Practice collaborated with Seashell Royal College Manchester Teacher of the Deaf, Katy Bramwell to identify learning resources, and how they can be adapted in a creative way to enable each student to gather evidence to complete the qualification independently
Bryn, John and Sofie were keen to complete the course, and have been working on their qualification for the past 2 years. During this time, they developed their confidence using their communication aids to have conversations with people, enabling them to get their point of view across, have discussions, and respond to questions.
Seashell Royal College Manchester staff members Katy Bramwell, Maureen Wilkins and Anna Dzieniak delivered the course, by using a variety of learning tools to facilitate students understanding. This approach allowed the students to develop expressive and receptive language, and become proficient users of their individual AAC technology.
Katy said: “The qualification has helped learners to enhance their adult status and focus on their transition after college life. They have been able to partake in discussions about themselves, deal with problems in daily life, and identify their individual rights and responsibilities. This learning will also help them to make the most of their leisure time, manage social relations, prepare for work, work as part of a group, as well as develop their individual goals and aspirations. We are very proud of their achievements!”
The team celebrated Bryn, John and Sofie’s achievements with an event in college, and Verity came to present the certificates. Both Verity and Katy made speeches, expressing their congratulations to the students in recognition of their hard work and of course, there was plenty of cake!
