Rural regeneration zone approves £1million funding for National College for the Blind » Communities » 24dash.com

The construction of a £10 million state-of-the-art learning and recreation facility at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford has received a major boost after funding worth £1 million was agreed by the Rural Regeneration Zone.

The Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) is a unique residential college of further education and vocational training for people who are blind or partially sighted.

Around 200 learners come from all over the country and abroad to study there each year, the youngest learners are aged 16-19, with adult learners up to retirement age.

The investment from the Advantage West Midlands funded Rural Regeneration Zone will help the college build on its work in helping blind or partially sighted learn skills which can then lead to employment, supporting economic inclusion in Herefordshire.

The new state-of-the-art Venns Lane Centre forms part of a wider £21 million redevelopment of the college campus and will include teaching and training gyms, indoor and outdoor sports pitches, and a complementary therapy training and treatment suite with hydrotherapy facilities.

The Rural Regeneration Zone funding will enable hundreds of adults to qualify in complementary therapy.

Work is well underway on the new development with completion expected in January 2009.

RNC has been nominated by the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) to host the 2010 World Blind Football Championships, and with the College’s facilities nominated along with other sporting providers in the county as an available pre-2012 Games Training Camp, RNC will be playing an exciting part in bringing the Paralympics to Herefordshire.

Funding for the redevelopment project has so far come from the sale of some College assets, a grant from the Leaning and Skills Council and RNC’s own £10 million Building Brighter Futures fundraising campaign.

In addition to the Rural Regeneration Zone investment, support for the continuing campaign has included grants from charitable organisations such as the Football Foundation, Sport England and the Garfield Weston Foundation. Corporate support, donations from individuals and from community groups such Lions Club International have also contributed towards the fundraising target.

Ian Edwards, Advantage West Midlands Partnership Team Leader, said: “The Royal National College for the Blind plays a massive role in not only supporting skills and economic inclusion, but is responsible for raising the profile of Hereford and the West Midlands.

“The investment in the new sports and complementary therapy facilities will enable the college to progress with the work and go on to host some very important events and teams in years to come.

“Combined with some of the other investments being made in the city – such as the ESG Herefordshire scheme and the Learning Village – it is clear Hereford has a very bright future.”

Christine Steadman, RNC’s CEO/Principal, said: “This fantastic grant from the Rural Regeneration Zone will make a big difference to our redevelopment project, and in particular will allow RNC to provide some outstanding facilities for our learners to train for careers in the Complementary Therapy industry.

“It is essential that our learners train in real work environments to ensure they have the best opportunities for securing employment, and here learners can work closely with those on sport and fitness programmes as well as provide a high quality service to Centre users and visiting teams.”

For further information contact Mat Danks on 07837515790 or email mat@dc-pr.co.uk