Students help school children to follow their dreams

Dreams became a reality for a number of children from Laleham Gap School in Broadstairs, with one pupil in particular being given the chance to fulfil his dream to perform on a cruise ship.

21 pupils from the specialist educational needs school were one step closer to achieving their dreams with the help of Canterbury Christ Church University students.

As part of ‘Catch the Dream’ the event at University Centre Folkestone saw Laleham Gap pupils paired with student mentors who have a specialist subject relating to their dream, such as animation, art, drama and dance. Throughout the day each pupil took part in one-on-one sessions with their mentor, culminating in an afternoon’s performance in front of their friends and members of the charity demonstrating the skills they had learnt, with a special dance routine from students and pupils

The pupil’s dreams ranged from learning to play the guitar and learning how to rap, to creating an arcade game and learning how drawings come to life through animation.

Debbie Morris, Dream Coordinator for Follow your Dreams, said: “Follow Your Dreams encourages confidence and self-esteem in all children. We hope that by instilling confidence in these pupils, they will now pursue their dreams and passions that have been started at this event.”

The ‘Catch the Dream’ campaign is currently touring the country as it tries to fulfil the dreams of 1,000’s of young people with learning disabilities. The charity also works in partnership with local fundraisers and organisations to help make some of the more ambitious dreams come true.

For example, 11 year old, Finley Gausden from Canterbury is even closer to fulfilling his dream to sing on a cruise ship.  Following Friday’s event, where he learnt a routine with the help of his student mentor, local travel company, Saga, has agreed to let Finley sing on the stage of one of their ships. Finley will perform in front of his family and friends on a Saga cruise ship when it docks in Dover during the summer. It is hoped the special event will take place on Finley’s 12th Birthday in August 2012.

The students mentoring pupils on the day of the event were from the University’s Broadstairs Campus, Canterbury Campus, and University Centre Folkestone (UCF).

Judy Challis, Volunteering Coordinator, at Canterbury Christ Church University, said: “We’re committed to supporting the local community, with many of our students volunteering on a regular basis. We’re delighted for our volunteer students to teach their skills and passions to the Laleham Gap pupils who share that same passion. It has been inspiring to see this happen.”

Kate Wratten, Head of Primary, Laleham Gap School, said: “We really appreciate the work from Follow Your Dreams, and the Canterbury Christ Church University students for giving up their time in the vacations to come and spend time with our pupils. Thank you so much to all.”

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Britain’s Got Special Talent Takes To The Road!

St Cenydd School’s Special Resource Base, Caerphilly and Ashgrove School, Penarth were the first two schools to take part in this years National Competition to find the next Susan Boyle! Jack Casey Hughes was Caerphilly’s winner with Josef Morley representing Penarth and both young men will be entered into the finals of Britain’s Got Special Talent later this year. Jack who sang Queens ‘We Will Rock You’ stunned the judges with his talent and he was over the moon to be announced  the winner, while Josef who sang the song ‘Still Alive’ from the game ‘Portal’ took his teachers by total surprise. “It is so fantastic that he has this opportunity, his parents will be so proud” said Alison Wilde teacher at Ashgrove.

Follow Your Dreams has taken to the road around Britain to find a star amongst youngsters with learning disabilities and the winner will get the stunning opportunity to record at Rockfield studios, Monmouth, where Queen recorded their all-time great Bohemian Rhapsody.

Christmas Is Coming

The one sure sign that Christmas will soon be here is the snow fall that appears on the blog at this time of year! But there are many things to indicate the change of season, and the impending Christmas festivities, school concerts, carol singers, the sound of ‘Last Christmas’ along with Yoko and John Lennon’s joyfull rendition of ‘happy Christmas war is over’ playing in every store you enter, but maybe the most typical scene at this time of year would be children wondering what to put on Santa’s list, Mums worrying about what the children have put on Santa’s list, and Dads worrying about what’s on Mum’s list!

Follow Your Dreams also has a few other activities going on this month that we are all looking forward to:

• We’re at a Santa’s Grotto in Haskins Southampton on the 8th between 4:30-8:30pm booking advised (please contact Haskins)
• Sunday the 11th we will be collecting in Cardiff City Centre in Christmas fancy dress!
• Santa’s Grotto in Sainsbury’s Bridgend week commencing the 12th of December (contact the office for details)
• Catch the Dream event in Merthyr Tydfil ASDA, where Greenfield School will be singing Christmas carols from 9:30am on 13th
• Back in Cardiff in fancy dress on the 22nd
• Not to mention a number of ‘Dreams’ coming true!

To find out more about events Follow Your Dreams are running in December and next year please take a look at our events page! 

‘Catch the Dream’ visits Swansea

Earlier today the roadshow visited Morriston Primary School, Swansea. It has to be said that it was an amsing event in this unexpected sunshine! not only did we catch 15 ‘Dreams’ of children with learning disabilities, but we had some of the most talented children in South Wales!

Southampton School Visit

on 16th June Catch the Dream tour visited the Cedar School, in Southampton. They had a special visit from the Mayor Councillor Terry Mathews. and we caught around 60 dreams that day with the help of area manager Neil Flood and his team.