Derwen College opens first charity shop
Derwen College, near Oswestry, has opened a new charity shop offering pre-loved bargains to shoppers, and work experience to students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The Vintage Advantage at Derwen College, in Gobowen, has opened its doors to the public selling a range of quality second-hand clothing, accessories, homeware and books.
Students on the specialist college’s Retail and Enterprise pathway have supported staff in sorting, pricing and displaying goods, and are looking forward to practising their sales and marketing skills with customers.
The shop was opened thanks to support from Steve Morgan Foundation, and additional funds were donated by The Community Foundation for Staffordshire and Shropshire.
Staff and students have spent months on the project, preparing stock and filling up the shelves.
Fundraiser Anna Evans said: “We have been touched by the amount of beautiful donations we received from staff, the local community and families of students.
“The shop looks great. It has provided a fantastic work experience provision for students during the Covid pandemic, and will continue to provide an important retail training provision for many students in the years to come.
Derwen College is a vocational college for young adults aged 16-25. Students attend college to learn work skills and independent living skills in an environment that is bespoke to their needs.
Derwen College has an on-site retail area which is open to the public, where students learn, train and gain work skills. This includes a Garden Centre and Gift Shop, Walled Garden Café, Karten Print Shop and the new charity shop.
The college enjoys 27 partnerships with local and national businesses who provide external work placements for students.
These placements are vital to students gaining industry standard work skills and experience and have led directly to students gaining paid employment after leaving college.
