Treloar College Arts & Media ‘Reflection’ Exhibition goes online

By General News

Each year, Treloar College in Alton, Hampshire has a summer Arts and Media exhibition to showcase student work. Unfortunately due to coronavirus (COVID-19), it wasn’t possible this year, so instead an online exhibition book has been produced. The theme of the work was ‘Reflection’.

Staff members Gemma, Caroline, Colin and Turlough said in the introduction to the work:

“Though we are very upset at not being able to host the yearly student summer exhibition at Treloar’s, it has instead given us the opportunity to produce an online exhibition book, celebrating the highlights of our students’ achievements over what has turned out to be possibly the strangest year ever, with the COVID-19 ‘lockdown’ forcing most students and staff to work remotely from home since mid-March.

Even more impressive then, to see such an exciting and diverse range of talent, as most of the work in this book was created by our students in the first half of the academic year 2019-20.

As always it’s been a pleasure to work alongside all of our Arts & Media students at Treloar’s, who never fail to inspire us with their humour and often wacky creativity!”

They also go on to thank the supporting staff who have “worked tirelessly to help enable our students to achieve such amazing things”.

The full online exhibition book was shared with parents, carers and families to view.

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For more information, please contact Communications and Marketing Manager Cat Fyson – cat.fyson@treloar.org.uk 

Website: www.treloar.org.uk 

NOTES TO EDITORS

  • Treloar Trust was founded by Sir William Purdie Treloar while he was Lord Mayor of the City of London. Now, 110 years later, it supports Treloar School (for pupils 2-16) and Treloar College (further education for students 16+). Both School and College are specialists in providing education, care, therapy, medical support, independence training and opportunities for young people with physical disabilities from all over the UK. 
  • Treloar School and College support approximately 170 students each year. Treloar’s students have complex and sometimes multiple physical disabilities. They may also have a communication or sensory impairment or associated learning difficulties. 
  • Over 40 disabilities are represented at Treloar’s – the most common are cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy. A vast majority of students use wheelchairs, almost half have little or no speech and 13% have a life-limiting condition. As the largest non-maintained specialist provision of its kind in the UK, Treloar’s relies on private donations to sustain the level of care the students receive. 
  • The Fundraising team at Treloar’s is tasked with raising around £2 million each year in addition to the statutory funding they receive.  This money is raised through working closely with City Livery Companies, Trusts and Foundations and Corporates together with donations from individuals, income from events, the Treloar’s TRElottery and legacies.  The generosity from these areas enables Treloar’s to provide students with access to the specialist equipment and staff, experiences and activities and upgrades to buildings and facilities.  All of which enhances students education and opportunities to learn skills, ultimately enabling them to build confidence, independence and realise their full potential in life. For more information on the work of the Fundraising team at Treloar’s or to make a donation visit www.treloar.org.uk/support-us/ 

 

Treloar College student starts own photography business after success of Supported Internship programme

By General News

Eoin Searle, aged 22, has cerebral palsy and is a student at Treloar College in Alton. Following the success of a Supported Internship with Vets4Pets in Farnham, he has decided to set up his own photography business. 

This opportunity, which allows for students to get hands-on experience working for a company, has helped Eoin to develop the skills and experience to start up his own enterprising business, Searle’s Photography.

Eoin said of his Supported Internship and new business venture:

“My Supported Internship not only gave me confidence, it taught me work skills and how to be professional in the working world.

I have really enjoyed setting up my own business and website to share my photography and I have already made some sales. I have been passionate about photography since I got my first camera, aged 6”

Alongside his business selling his photographs at searlesphotography.shop , Eoin has also been offered employment beyond his internship year at Vets4Pets. 

Job Coach, Charlotte Warwick-Mills said:

“It’s absolutely brilliant that Eoin has set up his own website for his photography business alongside his work placement. His internship year has given him confidence in his own abilities, leading him on to further opportunities. 

Treloar’s Supported Internships involve working together with businesses to create learning workplace opportunities for our students and for inclusive employers.”

Treloar’s are urging local businesses to consider joining their Supported Internship programmes. If you would like to find out more information about the Supported Internships programme and how to get involved, please contact Maria Sherwood, Progress and Transition Manager, on maria.sherwood@treloar.org.uk 

Royal Patron The Countess of Wessex, joins a video call with Treloar’s student, family and Treloar’s staff

By General News

On Tuesday 7th July HRH The Countess of Wessex GCVO joined a video call with Treloar School student, Poppy, and her family at their home in Wales.  Shortly after, The Countess joined Treloar’s staff to support and congratulate them all for their outstanding work during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. 

Poppy has quadriplegic cerebral palsy and set herself the goal to do a half-marathon of laps in her garden to raise money for Treloar’s in Alton, Hampshire.  Poppy’s dad, Rob, and her eldest brother, Sam, joined HRH on the call too.  Sam has been involved in Poppy’s previous challenges for Treloar’s including the Brighton Marathon in 2017, where he pushed Poppy around the course.  

During the conversation with Her Royal Highness, Poppy and her family discussed topics as diverse as Poppy’s feelings on lockdown, her cooking expertise – Poppy shared her recipe for CocaCola Cake, the use of PPE by Treloar’s staff on her return to School and how it will affect Poppy’s communication methods as Poppy lip reads, vegetable growing, her dog, Stanley – who joined the call at one point – and virtual quizzes.

Rob, Poppy’s dad said: “Treloar’s focus on enablement has made the world of difference to Poppy, building her confidence and independence.

Poppy has been very good at organising her time during lockdown and is great at her school work.  She has not missed out at all and Treloar’s is such a great school and she has really been able to achieve such a lot.  Treloar’s has really had to think on its feet and had a very difficult job.”

The Countess later joined a video call with members of staff from the charity who have been working relentlessly during the pandemic, and thanked them for their hard work, fortitude, selflessness and kindness shown during this difficult time adding “I am always so impressed with the work of Treloar’s and this just shows that you have stepped up and coped with what has been hurled at us all out of the blue.  The families must be so pleased that their children are lucky enough to go to Treloar’s and so grateful. This makes me even prouder to be part of Treloar’s.  Thank you so much.”

Since the pandemic began in March 2020, Treloar’s has continued to provide high quality education, care, therapy and medical support for young disabled people. Despite this difficult time, students’ needs have remained at the heart of Treloar’s work and staff have worked tirelessly to ensure their needs have been met as fully as possible.  

Provision has been given through a mix of on-site support and care services, virtual teaching and in some cases, staff have provided door to door support for the most complex and vulnerable students.  The Treloar’s campus remained open, even in the Easter holidays, at the height of the pandemic to support residential students living on site. 

Yvette Walker, Paediatric Senior Staff Nurse: “We ordinarily operate 24hrs, 365 days a year. During the pandemic it has been necessary to additionally have a back-up rota in place should there be any suspected COVID-19 cases.  This would ensure 1:1 nursing to keep 

infection rates down.  Due to our exceptional care and nursing staff we have had no cases at Treloar’s which considering how close and intimate we have to be with student care this is amazing.”

Treloar’s CEO, Simon Birch, thanked The Countess of Wessex and said “it has meant a lot that Her Royal Highness has been thinking of us.”

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For more information, please contact Communications and Marketing Manager Cat Fyson – cat.fyson@treloar.org.uk 

Website: www.treloar.org.uk 

NOTES TO EDITORS

  • The Treloar Trust was founded by Sir William Purdie Treloar while he was Lord Mayor of the City of London. Now, 110 years later, it supports Treloar School (for pupils 2-16) and Treloar College (further education for students 16+). Both School and College are specialists in providing education, care, therapy, medical support, independence training and opportunities for young people with physical disabilities from all over the UK. 
  • Treloar School and College support approximately 170 students each year. Treloar’s students have complex and sometimes multiple physical disabilities. They may also have a communication or sensory impairment or associated learning difficulties. 
  • Over 40 disabilities are represented at Treloar’s – the most common are cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy. A vast majority of students use wheelchairs, almost half have little or no speech and approximately 20% have a life-limiting condition.
  • As the largest non-maintained specialist provision of its kind in the UK, Treloar’s relies on private donations to sustain the level of care the students receive. 
  • The Treloar fundraising team has to find around £2M per year to provide therapies, equipment and services not covered by statutory funding, for inspirational young people. All donations are invested in the young people to help them lead as independent, pain free, healthy life as possible. Your help will help us change a life forever: http://www.treloar.org.uk/making-a-donation/