A Rowden House Student was invited into the School Kitchen for National Pizza Day. As part of his daily living skills scheme of work he had to plan a meal for a specific event. Silver class devised a list of different toppings for the pizza and designed posters for the site.
On Thursday 24th November, the Winslow Court Speech and Language Therapy team held a ‘Communication Coffee morning’ to highlight communication strategies such as signing and using photo/symbol support, to enhance residents’ ability to make choices and use a greater range of communication skills.
The team created symbol/photo choice boards: the choice to make a request through pointing at a single photo or to extend this request into a phrase e.g. “I want + chocolate + cake”; “I like + cake”; “I want + more”. One of our residents, who does not use speech, ate a marshmallow and pointed to the symbol for ‘like’ to comment that he liked it! Another resident, who would normally just use a single word, pointed to 3 symbols in a row to say “I want cake”. We also had a nice moment when one resident pointed at the photo of the cake he wanted but when given it, he pushed it away and then pointed at a different photo; when asked “you want this one instead?”… he then signed for “yes”.
We also put all useful signs on the wall behind the table (with cakes and drinks on), so everyone could practise their signing… this worked well and all staff tried their best to attempt to sign all morning. Lots of questions were asked e.g. how do you sign different? What’s the sign for green?; so we hope we taught everyone some new signs as well as refreshing some common ones.
We also set up a table with examples of visual supports that could be used within our residents’ homes and got some nice feedback about how they could be used.
Thanks everyone for a successful morning – we hope to do it again in the New Year! Remember – communication matters.
For more information about Speech and Language Therapy click here
At Rowden House School they are fortunate to have a large woodland area in which the students can access Forest School. The sessions are led by David Hughes and Lucy Armstrong –Clarke.
This term the great weather has promoted an increase in students accessing the sessions. These photographs show how much fun everyone has been having whilst learning about how to safely use garden tools and take care of our environment.
Work-related learning is an important component of the Rowden House School post sixteen curriculum and promotes key skills in preparation for adulthood. Our post sixteen provision includes a very successful work experience program managed by our own work experience co-ordinator, who goes to great lengths to ensure the suitability of each young person to their work placement. We currently have six local businesses supporting us including two farms, a café, an elderly care home, a mail order company and a medical equipment supplier, all of whom provide outstanding opportunities for our young people to benefit from the experience of a real working environment.
Those students deemed not ‘Work ready’ have accessed our on-site work facilities with our maintenance team and health and safety officer. Each participating student has a tailor made program including information packs, any communication aids, equipment or clothing necessary, regular feedback sessions with both students and placement providers and is supported at the placement by a member of the Rowden education team. Our work experience scheme has proved over the years to have enhanced our young people’s confidence, communication and development of teamwork skills and has created awareness within the community of what the young people at Rowden House School can achieve.
Many thanks to everyone who supported the Summer Fun Day and Open Day on Saturday 25th June. Despite the occasional shower, it was a success and everyone enjoyed themselves.
A particular thank you to all the volunteers who made the day for the young people and residents we support – without you – Saturday wouldn’t of been the success it was
Bromyard Scarecrow Festival takes place every Spring in the unspoilt Herefordshire market town of Bromyard. It includes a scarecrow parade, prizes for best children’s and adults exhibits, a scarecrow trail for the public with cryptic clues and a special supper on Bromyard Town Green.
Each year there is a specific theme, such as “Nursery Rhymes” or “Fairy Tales”, and those individuals and businesses entering the Scarecrow Competition build their scarecrows to match that year’s theme. The theme this year was songs and students from Rowden House School produced a scarecrow of their favourite character, Postman Pat, who has a very distinctive theme tune.
Thursday 26th May saw West Midland Learning Campus host their first Dignitea Party to raise awareness of the importance of dignity in the care setting and to celebrate Dignity in Action Day.
Staff ,residents, students, parents and the Herefordshire satellite homes were all invited to come along enjoy a drink, homemade cakes and share what being treated with dignity meant to them.
There was a fantastic turn out of residents and staff from the West Midlands Learning Campus- Winslow Court, Cedar Lodge, Rowden House and the local satellite homes. Who all spent time relaxing, chatting, indulging in homemade cakes and enjoying a cuppa.
There was a donation box with all monies collected going to Autism Awareness.
Everyone was invited to write on a leaf what dignity meant to them and to attach the leaf to our Dignitree.
One Nine Five, the SENAD Groups transitional home for young adults with learning difficulties and complex needs, has received praise from the Care Quality Commission in their latest inspection report. The home, which is based in Burton on Trent in Staffordshire focuses on the transition of young adults to a more independent life.
Following conversations with staff, parents and other professionals the inspector praised the high levels of committed and well trained staff at the home, the person centred support given to residents to pursue their interests and take part in social activities, the support residents are given to make decisions about their care and support and the willingness of the Registered Manager and her team to listen to and include relatives in the care of their loved ones.
To book your place please visit http://rpcf-annual-event2016.eventbrite.co.uk
Following our application to the UK Home Office to become a Tier 4 (child) licensed sponsor, we are pleased to confirm that our application has been granted and we are now able to consider referrals for our specialist schools from international students.
For more information please contact us Tel: 01332 378840 Email: info@senadgroup.com
