Further Education: College Life

Introduction

For people coming to the College it is the first time that they have lived away from home and they may feel a little scared about what will happen. At the RNIB College we have a small, friendly environment, which means that you quickly get to know everyone and will easily make lots of new friends.

The best thing about coming to the RNIB College is all of the friends that I have made

Quote from current learner

The accommodation is purpose built and extremely comfortable. The are plenty of activities to keep you busy and help to make friends in the evenings and at weekends. Plus each year there are two holidays for our learners, this years in-house learners went to Teignmouth in Devon and learners studying at Loughborough College went to Windermere in the Lake district.

Accommodation

You can live in the Stan Bell Centre which is our modern, purpose-built accommodation very close to the College. The accommodation is divided into flats with single en suite study bedrooms. Each flat has a kitchen / dining room and there are communal television lounges, a computer study room, games room and laundry facilities.

We have bedrooms and kitchens that are fully accessible to wheelchair users. The halls also have a guestroom for overnight visitors.

100% of current learners parent/carers thought that the College accommodation is a good standard

Quoted from the Parents Survey, February 2009

Our Duty Residential Team are available 24 hours a day and will look after your general welfare. It may be your first time living away from home or living more independently. Every learner here is different, if you are younger or more vulnerable you may need a higher level of support to make sure you feel safe and secure than older or more independent learners.

The College also has a team of qualified first aiders, the team will remind and support you with managing your medication. We work closely with two doctors’ surgeries, we can support you to register with them on arrival at the College.

Evenings and weekend activities

Every evening and all weekend the College's leisure and activity co-ordinator makes sure there are a wide range of things for you to take part in.

It's great that day learners can join in all of the evening and weekend activities

Quote from current learner's parent

These are designed to meet your interests and hobby's and regularly includes ten-pin bowling, golf, goalball, discos's, quiz nights, karaoke, craft, gardening, dvd nights, board games and much more.

If you are more independent, you can join one of the Loughborough Students Union clubs or societies. LSU has a lot to offer with over 130 societies covering sports, music and the arts.

You can also enjoy the many facilities that we have on campus, including the swimming pool at Loughborough University and the gym at Loughborough College.

You will have an induction when you start, which will help you learn more about how the College works. This is a chance to make friends as you get involved in a range of fun activities. The College has a "buddy" system to make sure that all new students feel welcome and are helped to settle n by current learners.

Catering

The College Catering Team promote a healthy eating approach, they are very flexible and make provision for special dietary requirements for medical, religious or personal reasons.

The Bell Bar has a good range of food between healthy and unhealthy. I am given advice on which to choose

Quote from current learner

The Bell Bar is open during the day for drinks and snacks including lunch. All residential students under the age of 18 receive full-board catering. If you are 18 or over and you prefer more independence, we offer the choice of full-board or self-catering.
If you choose the self-catering you will need to satisfy your key worker that you can prepare enough meals to provide yourself with a balanced diet.

If you choose this option you will receive a contribution to your catering costs.

Religion and cultural diversity

RNIB College Loughborough celebrate the diversity of its students and has links with several local religious and faith groups and organisations including the United Reform Church, the Shree Ram Krishna Centre and the Loughborough Students’ Union Islamic Society. The University Chaplain also visits the College regularly.

All our students have access to the Loughborough College Prayer Room.
Our Catering Team is always willing to accommodate any special dietary requirements and always welcome your suggestions.

All College bedrooms are single and have en-suite washing facilities.