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District 105W is very fortunate in that it
has the Royal
National
College
for the Blind situated within its boundary at Hereford.
It is the
UK’s leading college of further education for the blind and
partially sighted. The college was
awarded a Grade 1 in its latest OFSTED report and has been given the Learning
& Skills Beacon status, one of only 8 awarded throughout the
UK
and is one of 3 currently holding this status.
They were judged outstanding in Sport & Leisure, Massage &
Complimentary Therapies, Independent Living Skills, and Mobility.
The college’s Independence
Team have also been recognised as outstanding at the
national STAR awards. This
award was given for the outstanding contribution to the quality of
learning enabling its blind and partially sighted students to progress
to their next stage in life. The
team consists of Rehabilitation Officers, Independence Workers, Student
Services, Leisure Staff, and Student Support Workers.
The training offered by the
college equips students for careers in Leisure, Massage &
Complimentary Therapies, Performing Arts, ICT, Business, Administration
and Customer Services. They
also offer a full range of GCSE's, AS & A Level, Distance Learning,
and specialist qualifications in Braille and Mobility.
In order to maintain and improve
on this the college have launched a £21.5m project to develop the
Centre of Excellence Training. Some
funding will come from the Government and the College itself but public
contributions of £3.2m are still required for the college to maintain
and improve upon its already very high standards.
The cost of equipment for the Gymnasium and Complimentary Therapy
Centre is about £200k. Equipment
cost for the Assessment Centre and the Centre for Performing Arts have
yet to be confirmed.
How
can we as Lions help?
We certainly cannot help with the cost of building but can make a
significant difference by helping to equip the 3 centres outlined below.
80 years ago Helen Keller challenged us to be her ‘Knights of
the Blind’ and our record in meeting this challenge over the years has
been superb. Here is an
opportunity where Lions can make a lasting difference to our blind and
partially sighted people as they seek to pursue a career despite their
disability and once again show that we are equal to Helen Keller’s
challenge. We could perhaps
equip the Gymnasium and name it the ‘Lions Gym’ so that all who
enter the building know that Lions not only speak good intentions but
they also deliver.
SPORT
& COMPLIMENTARY THERAPY CENTRE.
Recognised as the leading college for people who wish to attain
outstanding results with opportunities for progression in all areas of
sport & leisure. The
college hosts the England Blind Football Team and aims to provide a
leading role in training facilities for elite athletes in the 2012
Paralympics. The College’s
reputation is built on the knowledge that sport helps blind or partially
sighted people by enhancing their sensory and physical development.
The aim is to provide a national & international centre of
excellence in sport and complimentary therapy to increase the
student’s employment opportunities.
ASSESSMENT
CENTRE.
The College’s aim is to provide a relaxing, welcoming,
supportive and secure environment which is vital for people when they
first arrive at the College. The
Assessment Centre intends to provide assessments for the whole region
and will be aimed at any people with physical or sensory impairments who
are looking at education and employment options for their future.
The Centre will allow them to undergo assessments in a safe and
comfortable environment accompanied by their family or carer.
CENTRE
FOR PERFORMING ARTS.
Recognised as a leading college with outstanding results and
opportunities to progress into all areas of the creative arts.
It offers sensory and physical development; these can be hard to
obtain elsewhere. Facilities
offered range from Dance & Drama to Music & Sound Recording and
are available for
UK
and Overseas Students.
Courses offered are designed as individual programmes, this
increases their independence and level of employability.
105W Convention at
Swindon agreed to adopt the ‘Building Brighter Futures
Appeal’ as a District Appeal. This is
UK’s leading College for the Blind and is worthy of
our support. It is the
intention to apply for an LCIF matching grant for this appeal, so every
£1 donated will become £2 if a grant is agreed.
If you would like to know more about the college and its work,
log on to www.rncb.org.uk.
Lion
David McKirdy, RNCB Liaison Officer
RNCB Newsletter 1, July 2007
rncb@lions105w.org.uk
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