Students

In March 2023, Zara began a supported work experience with Communicate 2U (C2U) taking on the role as a ‘Communication Expert’. Communicate 2U is a social enterprise company. Their mission is to improve the communication within the health and social care sector for people with learning disabilities and those who have alternative communication needs. Working with a group of young people with SEN, they deliver training sessions using drama, music and film to organisations such as QE Hospital, Royal College of Nurses and Coventry University. 

At the time of her work placement with C2U, Zara was a transition student at Victoria College with learning difficulties and a degenerative condition, which affects her speech and dexterity. Despite these challenges, Zara possesses a good range and understanding of vocabulary, who crucially displays significant determination, resilience and motivation. These qualities helped to make her placement with C2U a great success. Once a week, Zara would attend work experience with C2U at their base in Cotteridge Church. Here she grew in confidence and would rehearse communication role plays, games and songs with the other Communication Experts. Zara and her peers would then help to train the next generation of healthcare professionals within lecture theatres at Coventry University, the primary aim being to teach university students to communicate better with vulnerable patients. 

During her work placement, Zara’s attitude and work ethic impressed the staff at C2U so much that they actually offered her a part time role within the company, with the opportunity of paid hourly work as a communication expert at Coventry University.

Luke is a 19-year-old young man who suffers with various medical conditions with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, visual impairment and hearing impairment. Luke has severe physical, sensory and cognitive impairments with epilepsy. 

Whilst working with Luke he can become very tense as he begins to concentrate.  Following instructions, making movements or exploring objects he will raise his arms up and push his head back, it takes Luke time to relax.

Luke had met with the ponies each week they had visited over the 3 weeks. Luke began to make a bond with a pony called Mini, it seemed that Mini was drawn to Luke as each time Luke went out to see them or the ponies came into a room Mini would make her way over to Luke. Luke became so relaxed with Mini that his arms would be relaxed, he would hold his arms down to feel Minis mane as doing so he was really gentle with Mini. At one-point Mini came over to Luke and just lay her head across Luke’s lap where they both just looked so calm and comfortable.  When Luke was asked if he was okay with Mini putting her head on him he just gently vocalised communicating yes.

The visit from Let’s enable really did benefit Luke along with many more students.

Mustafa is a 21-year-old man who has been diagnosed with various medical conditions, such has microcephaly, Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, epilepsy and developmental delay. Mustafa is a pleasure to work with during college lessons he communicates using symbols, switches or will point to the object he desires. Initially, when the horses first arrived at college Mustafa was asked if he would like to work with horses or stay in the classroom to explore the different foods, interact with the switches that had the sounds of the horses which Mustafa engaged with very well. 

However, when Mustafa was introduced to the horses (Freddie and Mini) he was a little apprehensive in the first instance, and would only observe the animals from a distance. As the weeks went on Mustafa made the decision to self-propel himself outside where the horses were. He watched, vocalised and explored the different equipment but when encouraged to feel the horses he declined this offer. The last couple of weeks however, Mustafa really interacted with horses, he chose Mini to work alongside, he observed and touched Mini with his hand and smiled at his achievement of doing so. As he worked alongside Mini he tolerated the lead being on his lap and pressing the switch for Mini to Stop or Go. Mustafa has really benefited from these visits.