Creating a Buzz in Leeds

The Buzz Special Needs Careers event was attended this year by a record number of exhibitors. The exhibitors ranged from Leeds colleges, a SpecialistResidentialCollege, providers of leisure opportunities, advocacy services, training and employment providers, volunteering providers.There was also a representation from other services aimed mainly at parents/carerse.g. Parent Partnership Service.

Unique Collections again exhibited their artwork and encouraged people/students to produce a badge, small painting, or similar piece of work whilst at the event

The number of students/ pupils attending was approximately 500, with teachers and support staff.Pupils/students used the event to familiarise themselves with Colleges and the courses available post-school.

Approximately 30 parents/carers attended independently to find out about college provision.The fact that all the colleges were represented enabled parents/carers to be able to see all the providers in one setting rather than having to view each one individually.

We were also visited by a few colleagues from LeedsWakefield and Bradford Connexions, plus colleagues from the Additional Support Team at igen North Yorkshire

Once again we were fortunate enough to have excellent entertainment, this consisted of a magician, juggler, stilt walker and roller skaters who were excellent in engaging the pupil/students and encouraging them to look around and ask questions.

Initial feedback from the exhibitors is positive, in particular about the timing of the event, the venue and organisation.

Feedback from pupils/students again is very positive with remarks such as “ I really enjoyed the day I visited all the stalls, got lots of information about what I can do after school” “ It was a great day out, themagician and juggler were ace”

Feedback from teachers/support staff, “I thought I would drop you a line just to thank you for all the hard work today Marianne it was excellent. The boys and I greatly appreciated what was on offer. Many thanks Andrea Airth SEN Support Manager a Temple Moor High School Science College”

Feedback from parents was equally positive “I didn't get chance to speak to you yesterday, you were surrounded by children, but I just wanted to let you know that I found some really useful information, and had a good chat with Henshaws and they are trying to get a scheme up and running next year that my daughter and friends son would benefit from. I would probably not have found out about it without your invitation. Thank you very much!”

ENDS