Page 56 - royal-times-14-15

TY MINI COMPANIES

A Helping Hand

We, A Helping Hand, a Mini-
Company from the Royal
School Cavan have made a
communication aid in the
form of a flip book for non-
verbal children, particularly
with autism. We began this
process in September 2014,
as part of our Transition Year
programme. We started off by
brainstorming ideas of what product we should make and for the Cavan Enterprise competition. At the event, 7
then decided on doing something to help children who schools from across the county attended. Here, we set
aren’t as fortunate as many others. up our stall consisting of our business plan, some treats,
some images from our steps in production throughout
Our first step in production was to send out questionnaires
to any parents or family members of children with autism the year and of course, our communication aids itself. We
or to primary schools in our local area. When we collected dressed up in our company uniform, which was hand-
and reviewed all of our results, we decided that attacking made by members of the group, A Helping Hand. We got
the non-verbal spectrum would be a great market as it the opportunity to be interviewed by members of Cavan
isn’t as popular as many others. Next, we decided on our TV on the same day. Two judges made their way around
product so we researched what we would like to include to each stall and eventually reached us and questioned
in our communication aid. We gathered twenty-four us about our product and skills we used throughout the
colourful eye-catching images from the internet and fixed year. They too, were very enthusiastic about our product
them to the one size and finished them off with a black and thought that it was great the way we decided to
border. We included many different phrases e.g. feelings help other children who are less fortunate. Before the
and questions in our communication aid. We bought awards were given out, we heard a fascinating speech by
coloured card paper as well as strong keyrings and a Jonathan McCrea about what will happen in the future.
special hole puncher. We also bought laminating sheets to To our delight at the awards ceremony later that day, A
insure that our communication aid would be durable and Helping Hand won a special award for Best Innovation. It
suitable for young children. Each communication aid was was a great achievement and we won a beautiful plaque
made to a high standard and hand-made. Now, it was time and €100. Afterwards, we got some dinner, took down our
to begin selling. stall and made our way back to school.
Our Mini-Company programme was a great experience
Our first market was at the Backyard in Moynehall. We
got a great response from many members of the public and kept us busy all year. We learned many skills, such as
and we sold a number of communication aids. There was entrepreneur skills, communication skills, leadership skills,
also a craft fair held at the school just before Christmas. IT skills and increased our work ethic to reach deadlines.
Here, we sold our communication Overall, it was a great experience
aids to pupils and members of the and we all enjoyed it very much.
staff in school. We also sold lots A special thanks to Mr. Robertson
here. As well as that, we sold books and Ms Argue for all their help and
to family members and we went encouragement throughout the
around to many primary schools year.
in the Cavan area and sold them
there. The teachers and principals By: Sara Whitley and
were very happy and enthusiastic Thomas Prior
towards our product.
In March 2015, we travelled to
the Slieve Russell in Ballyconnell

56 The Royal Times 2014-2015