The Vinchel Foundation 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.

We are incredibly grateful to the Vinchel Foundation for their generous donations, which have enabled significant refurbishments at New College Worcester. These include two specialised classrooms and the Sixth Form accommodation.

Over the summer, while students were on break, a dedicated team of tradespeople transformed the ground floor of the Sixth Form space into a bright, accessible living area. The new design supports students with vision impairments, helping them apply their skills and build confidence. The ground floor features a three-bay kitchen area to encourage independence and skill-building, with each bay tailored to different sensory and functional needs. A Games Room with a pool table offers a social space for students, while the main living area, with six sofas and ambient lighting, fosters relaxation and conversation.

The bedrooms have also been renovated with new furniture, bright upholstery, and ample charge points, including new en-suites that students are thrilled with.

This is the first phase of the refurbishment, with more work planned. We look forward to a grand re-opening in February to thank the Vinchel Foundation for their support in empowering blind students.

Thanks to their generosity, two classrooms have also been refurbished with bespoke lighting, giant touch screens, and inclusive layouts. Alastair Tulloch, a trustee of the Vinchel Foundation, is pleased to support the college and looks forward to further collaboration.