Local Students Present Mayor of Penarth with a Gift of their Work

15/12/2009

Students from Beechwood College in Sully presented the Mayor and Mayoress of Penarth with a gift of a special piece of artwork that the Mayor has promised to hang in the council offices.

Part of Ludlow Street Healthcare, Beechwood College is Wales’ first specialist purpose-built residential college for young people aged 16-25 who have Autistic Spectrum Disorder or Asperger’s Syndrome.

The college places high importance of the use of art as a form of both therapy and enjoyment and earlier in the year, held an exhibition of students’ work at Penarth’s Washington Gallery as part of the annual Learning Disability Week.

A variety of the students’ work was on display - aiming to challenge common misconceptions about learning disability and its affect on an individual’s ability. It was here that Councillor John Fraser and his wife, Mrs Jude Fraser, were first introduced to the creative talents of the Beechwood students, many of whom are also keen animators and musicians.

One particular piece of work stood out to Councillor and Mrs Fraser and it was this piece that the students had mounted onto canvas to present on a specially organised visit to the college.

Also invited to join the proceedings was Bridgend author, Colette Morgan, recently diagnosed with Asperger’s herself and currently writing a book on the subject.

Colette spoke to the students about her experiences of dealing with Asperger’s and the relief, at fifty, of finally having a diagnosis for her condition which allowed her in her own words, “to put the jigsaw pieces together”.

Beechwood College Principal, Darren Jackson said he was delighted that both the Mayor and Mayoress and Colette found time in their busy schedules to visit the college and thanked them for their support.


“Our work at Beechwood College is primarily centred around creating an experience
based environment and focuses on a unique learning style that aims to develop the individual strengths of each student.

“We were delighted that Councillor and Mrs Fraser enjoyed our exhibition so much and it was the students’ idea to provide them with a memento of their visit.

“Colette kindly agreed to speak to our students about her own experiences and I know they found the whole thing both interesting and in a way, reassuring, to know that somebody as successful as Colette has the same condition as them.

“I’d like to thank all our visitors for their support and look forward to keeping in touch regarding future projects.”

For further information about Beechwood College, please visit the website at: www.beechwood-college.co.uk