The Coleg Powys Paddlers took part in the Shrewsbury Dragon Boat Race on Sunday and have managed to raise £1320 for Severn Hospice with money still coming in.

Health and Social Care students and staff from the Newtown site of Coleg Powys made up the team.  They were all dressed as sailors.

Lecturer Sarah Eskins said: “We weren’t the fastest team but we did really well and I’m very proud of the Health & Social Care students who made up the team.”

The Level 2 Health and Social Care students of Coleg Powys Newtown visited the orthopaedic ward at Gobowen hospital near Oswestry to see the work of the Play Specialist, who is based on the children’s ward. 

The students were given a very good insight into the workings of the children’s ward and the role of the Play Specialist.  They were shown the Distraction box, which is used to distract children from the treatment regime by entertaining them with games and noisy toys.

Many of the students were interested to learn of the many facets of support roles and care roles within the children’s wards.

Student feedback from the visit was very positive and included the following: “A really enjoyable and worthwhile visit”.  Another student commented “I didn’t realise there were so many different jobs in the health sector we could consider.”

Head of School of Health & Social Care Susan Blower said: “This was a most enjoyable visit, which provided the students with an excellent insight into the wide variety of careers within the care sector.”

David Raffel, Deputy Manager at Hope House, provided a presentation to the Level 2 Health and Social Care learners at Coleg Powys Newtown about the work the Hospice does for children with life limiting illnesses and their families.

David inspired the learners by telling them about life at the Hospice and the important package of care given to children and their families when facing very difficult times during the course of their severe illness.

Head of Health & Social Care Sue Blower said: “The learners were moved by some of the stories David shared with them about the Hospice and it allowed them to see what an important role that Hope House plays.”

The students will now be going to visit the children’s orthopaedic ward at Gobowen Hospital to see the role of the play leader and the educational and nursing team.

The Brecon site of Coleg Powys has launched the Health, Social and Child Care Level 2 BTEC.  The course requires you to complete a number of work placements and you will have the opportunity to study Key Skills, Emergency First Aid, Food Safety, Health & Safety and other short courses.

On successful completion, this course will enable you to work either in a supervised capacity with children aged 0-8 or in Health and Social Care.

For further details contact Rachel Mills (Child Care) on 0845 4086 433 or Charles Dublon (Health & Social Care) on 0845 4086 409. Alternatively visit the website: www.coleg-powys.ac.uk.

The Coleg Powys Paddlers held a coffee morning last week and raised over £250 towards their £1000 target for Severn Hospice.  The team, who is made up of Health and Social Care students and tutors from the Newtown site, will be racing in the Shrewsbury Dragon Festival on Sunday 27th June at the Quarry in Shrewsbury.  They will be dressing up as sailors on the day. 

This will be the fourth year that a team from Coleg Powys have competed in the race.

The coffee morning was a great success with full support from Coleg Powys staff and students.

The team members now have to try and raise £50 each to help reach the target.