Henshaws (College) News Archive

The ceremony acknowledged the culmination of three years of education and guidance for 25 students who have learnt valuable life and employment skills, equipping them to make a successful transition to the next stage of their lives.

Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, joined Henshaws College principal Caroline Smale to co-present certificates and “transitions passports” which summarise what students have learned.

One graduating student, Vanessa May, explained: “I’ve really enjoyed my time at Henshaws and am much more independent. I’m very proud of learning IT and writing on the computer. I’m moving into supported living in Chesterfield at the end of August after helping my mum to decorate the house.”

Vanessa’s mum Liz added: “Words can’t describe Vanessa’s development over the last three years thanks to Henshaws. It’s been fantastic to see her mature and her interaction and understanding of what she is saying has improved by leaps and bounds.”  

After the ceremony Andrew Jones said: “I’m delighted to be involved in this very special celebration. Henshaws is one of the finest organisations in the area and its record of achievement is truly inspiring. Among my priorities is to champion such organisations in Parliament.”        

Emmerdale’s Kitty McGeever, the first permanently visually impaired character in a British soap opera and recent winner of the Yorkshire Woman of Achievement award, said: “It’s been out of this world – inspiring, encouraging and it’s wonderful to return for my second graduation ceremony and to celebrate the fantastic transformation in the students each year.”  

The packed ceremony was also attended by Cllr Bill Hoult, Mayor of Harrogate, and Mayoress Vanessa Hoult, along with Cllr Richard Hall, Mayor of Knaresborough and Mayoress Rachael Hall.

Said Cllr Hoult: “This was both a moving and uplifting experience.  I’ve been to a few graduations and this was one of the most inspiring to witness how the students overcome challenges, develop the self confidence to be themselves as well as inspiring those around them.”   

Cllr Hall added: “This is my first Henshaws graduation and the ceremony is a dynamic showcase to recognise the hard work of both Henshaws College and the energy and achievements of its students. We’ve really enjoyed sharing the celebrations with students and their families.”

Harrogate’s new MP also presented two of the graduates with special awards. David Connelly received the Maxine Foster award, which recognises the student who ‘most embodies the spirit of enthusiasm for life and living’.  The Joshua Rayner award, which acknowledges a ‘unique and enthusiastic approach to learning’ was given to Mazrab Mohammed. Both awards serve as memorials to their namesakes ­- Maxine was a young tutor working at the college who sadly died in 2006, and Joshua was a second year student who tragically died in October 2008.

Said David: “It’s important to be positive. You don’t know what will happen in life so it’s important to make the most of it. I’m extremely proud of my achievements in areas including athletics, music and walking. Henshaws is a very friendly place and I have lots of happy memories here.

“It’s great that I’m now becoming more independent and moving into a supervised flat. I want to study music and IT at Blackburn College and my goals include taking part in the 2012 Paralympic Games.”  

During the ceremony Howard Cockeram, Chairman of Henshaws Society for Blind People, presented a series of awards achieved by Henshaws College over the last year. They comprise the Regional Support Centre Yorkshire & Humber Evolution Awards, the National Blind Gardener of the Year, the Great British National Care Home Awards and the Special Olypmics    

Caroline Smale concluded: “The graduation is a momentous milestone in our calendar and it’s a privilege to watch the students grow up and mature. We give them many challenges to overcome and they show great courage and determination. They are now equipped for the next stage of their lives and we are immensely proud of their achievements.”

The students who graduated are:

Wayne Appleby                      Gary Bisset                 Lorna Brooksbank

Darren Calvert                       David Connelly           Liam Colligan

Daniel Corrin                           Rebecca Cross          Ruhana Doyle

Stacey Kimberley                   Jamie Lynas               Rebekkah Lynch

David Marshall                        Vanessa May              Tim Milledge

Mazrab Mohammed                Nick Moxon                 Emma Powell

Helen Robinson                      Katie Sayer                 Jessica Shepherd

Gemma Tapsfield                   Adam Taylor               Lindsey Trendel

Luke Wanklyn

A Henshaws employee is celebrating after winning the national care home worker award at a glitzy ceremony at the Guildhall in London.

Christina Dobson was nominated for the award by Liz Sugden, head of student support and residential services at Henshaws College. She was recognised for her role in supporting college students, all of whom have visual impairments and other disabilities, and helping them to learn to live independently.

After winning the regional awards, Christina faced a panel of judges, who said she was an inspiration to the care sector and that they were blown away by her enthusiasm. She was finally presented with her national award in June by former GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips.

Christina said: “My role as house manager is to oversee the running of three of the residential houses on campus, this means I am responsible for the care and well being of thirty seven young people, with a varied range of abilities’’

“I really love my job; it is such a pleasure to create a welcoming and homely environment for our students, as well as helping them gain their independence. Winning the regional award was amazing, so to go on to succeed in the national category was a wonderful moment!”

Caroline Smale, principal at Henshaws College, said: “We are so proud of what Christina has achieved, to gain national recognition for her work shows just what an excellent job she does. She epitomises the best possible attitude, and always approaches every day with enthusiasm and a smile. Many congratulations from everyone at the college.”

Henshaws College is celebrating after receiving a glowing Ofsted report and a raft of IT awards.

The college was commended by Ofsted as promoting a strong culture of continuous improvement and promotion of excellence, and achieved the highest grade of ‘significant progress’ across all five inspection themes.

 The college’s high level of learner achievement was particularly praised, in addition to the vocational curriculum offered in practical environments of hospitality, retail and admin, horticulture, media, and arts and crafts. The inspectors visited the café and shop at the Arts & Crafts Centre in Knaresborough to observe the students in training.

In addition to this success, Henshaws College was nominated in five of the eight categories at the Yorkshire and Humber Further Education IT Evolution Awards.  Senior curriculum manager Christine Sherman won the Regional Leadership Award and the ICT curriculum team scooped the Innovative Practice Award. Tutor Paul Scott was also a finalist in three categories.

Part of the charity Henshaws Yorkshire, the college is widely recognised for maximising technology to boost student achievement. It has invested in a range of mobile technology – including digital voice recorders, cameras and video cameras – as well as high tech tools for the kitchen, specialist music equipment and multimedia white boards for teaching areas.  At present, the college is focusing efforts on fundraising to secure state-of-the-art technology for an innovative media centre, which will further enhance students’ skills.

College principal Caroline Smale said: “Henshaws College is delighted to have got 2010 off to such a magnificent start. It is wonderful to have had an excellent report from Ofsted: it is extremely satisfying to confirm that we are providing the best learning environment for our students.

“Receiving two IT Evolution Awards and five nominations is the icing on the cake, and congratulations must go to all the hard working staff who thoroughly deserve this success. The college is committed to the innovative use of technology because it enables our students to gain independence and employability skills, and prepare them for their future lives. This is particularly important in helping to overcome the challenges posed by visual impairment and additional physical disabilities and learning difficulties.”

The Evolution Awards were created to recognise regional success with e-learning. Nominations come from across the higher education, further education and skills sectors, recognising those individuals or teams using technology for the benefit of learners.

Local businesses have heard how Henshaws College can support them and help them to meet their corporate social responsibility targets at a ‘Henshaws Means Business’ event.    

Launched in 2009, ‘Henshaws Means Business’ offers professional consultancy and training to help companies of all sizes to comply with discrimination laws.

The programme gives employers the skills and confidence when hiring workers with disabilities and enables them to understand how to support visually impaired and disabled staff.

Additional initiatives include corporate volunteering opportunities and art loan to brighten up the workplace. Also available are environmentally friendly delegate bags for conferences and beautiful greetings cards – all of which are hand crafted by Henshaws students and art makers.    

Henshaws Means Business undertakes activities which include converting company literature, including menus, signs and even employment contracts into Braille – a legal requirement in some cases.

At the recent event David Williams, general manager of Blue Line Taxis, explained how they will be working with Henshaws to accommodate customers with visual impairment, learning difficulties and other disabilities.

Said Mr Williams: “We operate a number of Mercedes Eurocabs which have been custom built to transport wheelchairs of all sizes for Henshaws students. We are proud to have been associated with Henshaws for over two decades and wholeheartedly support the Henshaws Means Business programme.”  

Business people who attended were shown how the College service could help them to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act, Disability Etiquette and Visual Impairment Awareness Training (VIAT).

For more information, or to book a place at the next breakfast seminar please contact Liz Connall on 01423 886451 or email liz.connall@henshaws.ac.uk