Last month East Hampshire District Councillors Adeel Shah and Graham Hill visited the newly created Bradbury Learning Centre with Hannah Robbins from EHDC Community Development Team. They were invited to explore the new Immersive Learning Zone and to try out a Neater Eater in Treloar’s Occupational Therapy training kitchen.
East Hampshire District Council have generously contributed £7,272 towards the creation of the Bradbury Learning Centre through the EHDC Supporting Communities Fund. Cllr Graham Hill has been a long-term supporter of Treloar’s, most recently using his £1000 Councillor Community Grant to help fund a Neater Eater for the Occupational Therapy training kitchen.
Their visit included a tour round the four new learning zones of the Bradbury Learning Centre, including the newly installed Immersive Learning Zone, the library area, the technology zone and the gaming zone. Funding from generous donors has enabled Treloar’s to create this incredible facility right at the heart of the campus, improving access to educational technology for students of all abilities.
Cllr Adeel Shah, EHDC Portfolio Holder for Community Development and Engagement, is chairman of the SCF committee. He said:
“This is a fantastic facility that will help change the lives of the students here. I am proud that we have been able to play our part in supporting this project and others at Treloar’s."
In the training kitchen, Head of Occupational Therapy, Vicky Pitt and Senior Occupational Therapist Louise Spicer gave a demonstration of how the Neater Eater supports students with their independence at meal times, and invited Hannah Robbins to try it out for herself. The training kitchen facility allows students to try out specialist equipment to ensure it works for them, before investing in the equipment for use at home.
Cllr Hill said:
“I was delighted to be able to give some part of my Councillor Community Grant to help pay for this brilliant bit of kit that will make a huge difference to the students’ daily lives.”
Councillor Emily Young visited earlier in the month to see how her Community Grant has been used to fund a new hoist.
Many of the young people at Treloar’s have complex physical needs and require support throughout the day and night, using hoists to safely manoeuvre students within their residential and learning areas.
She said:
“Treloar’s is currently in the process of replacing 151 hoists. They are all in daily use and are reaching the end of their working life so it makes sense for me to be able to pass on a grant that can go towards one of these vital pieces of equipment.”
We’re incredibly grateful for the support of EHDC which allows us to continue making a difference for our students. From large scale projects like the development of the Bradbury Learning Centre to the simple daily routine of being able to enjoy a meal independently, their support makes a huge impact.