Special graduation for summer school

Lady Hermon is Patron of the summer school for people with disabilities and presented the certificates to participants at a special graduation ceremony.

All told, some 37 people with disabilities took part in this year’s school, now successfully up and running for 18 years.

The programme of activities was jointly organised by The Cedar Foundation, Well 2 Project, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust and South Eastern Regional College.

Classes including cookery, arts & crafts, photography and light decorative metalwork were delivered in Lisburn, Newtownards, Downpatrick and Bangor during July.

“I greatly enjoy presenting the Certificates of Achievement to all those who take part in The Cedar Foundation’s Summer School,” said Lady Hermon, “and so this event is definitely a highlight of my summer calendar.

“What strikes me most about the Summer School every year is the infectious nature of the happiness and pride shared by the tutors and students, and also by their families. “It is my sincere hope that by participating in the Summer School students will feel much better equipped and much more confident to pursue further educational courses.” SERC Principal and Chief Executive Ken Webb said: “The enthusiasm of all involved has ensured that students and staff enjoyed the sample courses on offer at SERC over the past three weeks.

“We look forward to welcoming some of the students to the College in September.”

Cedar delivers a range of services that enable children and adults with disabilities to be fully included in their communities; Well 2 is a project aimed at 16-25 year olds with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, mental ill health or Autistic Spectrum Disorder and SERC provides a range of courses for everyone in the community, from entry level to degrees.