Preston Centre of Sporting Excellence learner Ben Walton has been volunteering to support SEND [special educational needs and disabilities] learners from Preston College to enjoy their recreational sport sessions in his role as Preston College Disability Ambassador.
Ben is enrolled on the Preston Centre of Sporting Excellence Diploma in Sport programme, offered together by PNECET and Preston College, which offers high-quality, technical education programmes at levels one to three.
As part of the course, Ben and other learners enrolled on the programme have the opportunity to access unique work experience opportunities in sport, both through PNECET and Preston College.
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3 March 2022Ben is part of a team of student ambassadors for Preston College, which also includes learners acting as ambassadors for the areas of mental health, women’s inclusion and the Duke of Edinburgh award.
SEND learners access a disability sport enrichment session every Monday at Preston College, which is where Ben has been providing his support to benefit participants through playing sports such as volleyball, badminton and boccia.
Ben said: “As a disability ambassador, we’ve been showing them [participants] through all the different sports. We’ve been doing volleyball, badminton, boccia.
“We’ve been showing them the sport, letting them know the rules and trying to adapt it so they can all take part.
“It’s good to help others. It’s good for my confidence. When I come here, it gives me experience of coaching because I want to be a sports coach when I’m older. It gives me the experience I need.”
Ben also said the opportunity to work with SEND learners is supporting his own learning.
He added: “The module I’m studying right now is ‘sport for specific groups’, and having this knowledge behind me has really helped with that subject. It’s actually given me a lot of insight with what I can do with this course.
“Looking at that course and this session I can see how I can make more sessions more adaptable for everyone to take part in.”
Zoe Bidula, Enrichment Officer for Preston College, added: “Ben has been a great support to the disability sport enrichment sessions. He has really supported the SEND learners with their confidence and ability to play a variety of games and sports on a weekly basis.
“It is fantastic to see our team of ambassadors from the Preston Centre of Sporting Excellence making a real difference every day through a wide range of activities.
“Ben has supported the SEND learners and helped us to develop a strong team, who have managed to reach the Association of Colleges’ National Finals in Boccia this year.”
For more information about enrolling at the Preston Centre of Sporting Excellence, please visit pne.com/newstudent or email graeme@pne.com.