Above: Percy Hedley Students visit Dame Allan’s Schools for Disability Awareness Workshop, with Dame Allan’s Sixth Form Volunteers Connie and Maya
A flourishing partnership between the Percy Hedley Foundation and Dame Allan’s has seen students support one other through weekly volunteer work and a disability awareness session.
A group of seven students from Hedleys College, a specialist further education college in Benton for young people with a range of learning difficulties and disabilities, recently gave a presentation to pupils at Dame Allan’s Schools to share their experiences of living and studying with complex needs.
Mrs Julie Rodrigues, Dame Allan’s Sixth Form and Careers Administrator, said: “The event was absolutely brilliant! It really got the message across to everyone in the room that young people at Percy Hedley have exactly the same hopes and dreams as everyone else and that they are not defined by their disabilities.”
The strong relationship between the two establishments already sees a growing number of Dame Allan’s Sixth Form pupils volunteer at Hedleys College each week. Connie Monteith and Maya Dowson both support a range of students at the college, including cadets on the college’s Volunteer Police Cadet scheme – the first cadetship of its kind for people with disabilities.
Eighteen year old Connie, from Jesmond, said she’d worked with the students to create an educational video to help the emergency services understand how to respond to those with disabilities and motor-powered wheelchairs in the event of an emergency.
I”I have learnt so many life lessons and gained valuable first-hand experience at Hedleys College,” said Connie, who is keen to pursue a career in psychological services and mental health first aid.
“Volunteering at the college has made me very aware of the huge adversities that people with disabilities face in day-to-day life. It’s so special to think that Maya and I could have made even the smallest impact on people’s lives at Percy Hedley.”
Maya, 17, from Seaham, County Durham, chose to volunteer at Percy Hedley to support her plans to study occupational therapy at university. She said: “I love volunteering at Hedleys College, and I find the smallest things to be so rewarding.
“It’s taught me that there needs to be a lot more awareness of the difficulties those with disabilities face in everyday life.”
Hedleys College Principal, Joanne Rees-Proud, said: “Being involved in this partnership has been beneficial for all students – with or without a disability. They have grown in self-confidence and gained advocacy skills and empathy in understanding each other’s lives. Volunteering and work placements are of value to everyone.”
Connie and Maya attend Hedleys College each Wednesday as part of the Sixth Form Community Service programme, designed to give pupils valuable experiences through volunteering in the community.
Will Scott, Principal at Dame Allan’s Schools, said: “It’s clear to see the enjoyment and deep fulfilment both girls get from spending time at Hedleys College. They’re also gaining knowledge and experience that is as educational as it is enlightening.
“In return, it was fantastic to welcome Hedleys students to Dame Allan’s to give a fascinating presentation… It’s a two-way partnership between the college and school of which we are immensely proud.”