Students spread joy with ‘Compass House’ pop up shop in St John’s Centre

Students from West SILC, East SILC, North West SILC, Broomfield SILC and the Lighthouse School have been working extremely hard this week at their summer pop up shop in the St John’s Centre.

Entitled ‘Compass House’, the pop up shop opened on Tuesday 9 July and will be open until Thursday 11 July, 10am – 2pm.

Working in partnership with Leeds City Council’s Voice, Influence and Change Team, students from the above schools have been meeting on a regular basis to make all the key decisions about the shop and have all been involved in making the handcrafted gifts.

The same students came together last year in December to open a Christmas pop up shop under the same name. After great success, it was agreed that they would continue to open the shop every 6 months.

The students are selling beautifully handcrafted gifts such as bath bombs, tie dye t-shirts, gifts for teachers, garden plaques, lip balms, jewellery and much more, all priced at £5 or less.

The project has been a great opportunity for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to gain valuable work experience.

It is also another fantastic example of how the St John’s Centre as a Child Friendly Leeds Ambassador is working in partnership to improve opportunities and outcomes for the children and young people of Leeds.

Councillor Fiona Venner, Leeds City Council’s executive member for children and families said:

“Compass House is a wonderful example of different organisations working together to deliver on our ambition to make Leeds a Child Friendly City. A lot of hard work has gone into setting up the shop which is full of beautifully handcrafted gifts.

“The project has been a great opportunity for students with special educational needs and disabilities to gain valuable work experience and I would like to say a huge well done to all those involved. I would encourage everyone to pop in and show their support before it closes on Thursday.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

SILC = Special Inclusive Learning Centre.

For media enquiries please contact:

Leeds City Council communications and marketing

Tel: 0113 378 6007

Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk