SEND students show off their business skills in Dragons’ Den event

By Diana Morais

A team of students have been crowned winners of the Social Enterprise Lambeth Dragons’ Den Event.

The group from London South East Colleges’ Nido Volans centre in Weir Road, Clapham, impressed judges with their presentation which highlighted the lack of accessibility at Brixton railway station.

Nido Volans students, aged between 19 and 24 and all with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), chose to take part in the social enterprise project as part of an enrichment option at their college this term.

As part of the project the group had to set up a business and find a product to sell in order to raise money for their campaign.

The group decided to make ceramic pots and launched their company, Whimsical Wheel Ceramics.

The Dragons’ Den event took place on April 25, with the judging panel made up of industry experts from the region. The students presented a video they had made to the judges as well as a campaign speech, to provide context to their product.

The group received a trophy and a prize of £75. The ceramic pots will be sold at a number of events organised by Nido Volans Lambeth to continue to raise awareness of the accessibility issue.

Nathaniel Senior, part of the winning team, said: “I felt amazing. I can’t believe we won. I feel happy to have thought about the idea for this project and to work with my friends on the project.

“We are going to continue to make our pots, to sell and to raise awareness of an issue that affects the whole community.”

The winning team members were Nathaniel Senior, Jarrod Thomas Naqui, Malachi Mcnamara, Michael Godfrey, Shaniqua Powell, Derick Kusi Adomako, Jon Carroll Simmonds, Jaydah Debrah, Felton Kpundeh and Marco Mata.

Pictured top: Winning members from London South East Colleges’ Nido Volans centre (Picture: London South East Colleges’ Nido Volans centre)