This month we have had the honour of officially opening Vinchel Lodge, marking the completion of a major refurbishment of the ground floor of the Sixth Form accommodation.

This newly transformed space is designed to provide a bright, accessible living area for students who are blind or vision impaired.

The refurbishment has been made possible through the generous support of The Vinchel Foundation, which supports people who are blind or vision impaired in the UK and internationally, along with their families and carers. The Foundation has a focus on education of blind and vision impaired young people and on the advancement of scientific knowledge of causes and treatments for vision impairment.

The new ground-floor space features a three-bay kitchen area, carefully tailored to different sensory and functional needs, encouraging students to build independence and essential life skills. A newly added games room with a pool table provides a social area for relaxation, while the spacious main living area, complete with six sofas and ambient lighting, creates a comfortable environment for students to gather and engage with one another.

During the official opening, Alastair Tulloch, trustee of The Vinchel Foundation, along with other guests, were inspired by the newly renovated space. Alastair Tulloch expressed his delight in the partnership.