22nd October 2009

HIGH praise has been given to Exeter College students from across the city and South Devon last night at this year’s Skills For Living Celebration Of Achievement Evening, which took place at Exeter College.
The annual event, which has been running for over 15 years, recognises the success stories and progress made by Skills For Living students for their continuing hard work throughout the College year, despite individual learning disabilities or personal difficulties.
This year, two students were awarded the Student Of The Year title. The first was Jennifer Howard, aged 19, of Sticklepath, Okehampton. Jennifer attended Southbrook School and is now at Oakwood Court College in Dawlish. The other was Ayesha Sawyer, aged 19, who is now taking part in the Pre-Foundation course at Exeter College.
The Sarah Stephen Award, awarded in memory of Sarah Stephen, a former student who sadly passed away, has been awarded to Charlotte Keegan for friendship. Charlotte attended Southbrook School and continues to attend the Skills For Living course.
Aimed at students aged 16 to 19, Exeter College’s Skills For Living course provides for young people with a diverse range of learning disabilities or difficulties, and is a bespoke offering tailor-made to suit their specific needs.
As well as seeking to improve their comprehension of English, Maths, and ICT, it is designed to equip them for the wider world as they make the progression from teenager to adult.
While many of those who received awards last night have returned to the course for another year, others have moved on to residential colleges, or other courses at Exeter College.
Skills For Living lecturer Nick Couzens says: “Achievements range from being able to cook a meal for themselves and catching a bus safely, to being able to use money and to live independently.
“The evening is always a fantastic event with an atmosphere filled with pride and confidence. My colleagues and I would like to say a huge thank you and well done to all of the learners who have taken part in the course.”