A carol service was held this afternoon at Sunderland Minster for students from ESPA College.
ESPA stands for Education Services for People with Autism.
The college prepares students with Autism who are eighteen and over for University and employment.
Acting Principle, Chris Pickup, explained why the service was organised,
“This is our third carol service. It’s part of our quality and diversity strategy to make sure learners understand about different cultures.”
It’s a busy time of year for Sunderland Minster Priest, Reverend Martin Anderson. Spark fm asked what makes this service different,
“It provides an opportunity for staff and students to come together as a community and to celebrate the joy and hope that Christmas brings. It’s wonderful, every year, to see students taking part in the service and showing what gifts and talents they have.
I think often in society, we are too quick to write people off with special needs so it’s very important, here at the Minster, to celebrate the gifts, achievements, skills and talents that ESPA college students have.”
Deputy Principle, Sarah Everett, explained how the carol service benefits students,
“A part of our curriculum is creative arts and within that, performance arts and music. We put on performances during the year so we have a lot of students who are very interested in singing and performing so I think it’s a really good outlet for them.”
