Support, Services & Facilities

   

Student Services

Student Services is your first point of contact for any enquiries, problems, information, advice and support on a range of issues such as:

• Welfare benefits
• College accommodation
• Social and leisure activities
• Transport arrangements

Student Services is also the base for RNC’s Information Advice and Guidance Team

Learning Support, Flexible Learning Centre and Library

The Flexible Learning Centre is an open learning resource centre where we encourage and support Students to study independently. Students can access email, the internet and all of the learning resources necessary to complete their chosen programme of study. All of the latest technology and resources are available to assist Students.

Our library collection consists of books in both standard and large print, as well as braille, audio and daisy. There are also a number of daily newspapers and relevant periodicals available.

Multi-faith Provision

We welcome Students of all faiths. Religious and cultural support is provided and links are established with local provision wherever possible. The diversity of our Student population is one of the things which makes RNC such a special place. We have a visiting College Chaplain who is available to support Students of all faiths.

Low Vision

If you are a Student with partial sight we will work closely with you to identify any low vision aids which might be beneficial, and develop strategies which could help in social, educational and employment situations.

Fitness Facilities

RNC’s new fitness suite, multi-purpose sports hall and sports pitch  are available to all Students. The Student gym is in thePoint4 the Colleges brand new multi-million pound facility. Once you have received an induction you can use the fitness suite seven days a week! Also on offer  are regular aerobic circuit training sessions, weight training, abdominal and flexibility classes as well as football coaching.

Medical Support

A team of dedicated nursing staff are on campus at the RNC Health Centre. Nurses provide Students with daily surgeries and link with local GP’s to ensure that all medical needs are addressed. The team communicate daily with Student Services to ensure that all absences are responded to and also routinely check on unwell Students in halls. They also provide regular health promotion initiatives.

Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG)

Our IAG Team will help you plan for your future. We can help you find out more about the career opportunities available to you, make realistic decisions, formulate plans and put them into action, whether that is making an application to university or looking for work/work placement.

Employment Advice

Our enthusiastic team are committed to getting you into employment by giving you the skills needed for the workplace:

• Confidence building
• Career planning
• Job seeking - using the internet and resources in RNC’s Careers Centre
• Writing CVs, making applications and interview skills
• Employment counselling and guidance
• Self-employment - advisers from Action for Blind People frequently run ‘Business Set Up’ seminars for those wanting to set up their own business. This support continues when you leave RNC

Higher/Further Education Advice

If Further or Higher Education is your goal, our team will work with you to help you make informed decisions about your next step:

• Research college/university choices
• Organise visits to colleges/universities
• Plan and submit UCA applications
• Help with Disabled Student Allowance (DSA) applications

Counselling Service

We hope that your time at RNC will be happy and trouble-free. However, we do understand that everyone – at some point in their lives – may have concerns that can prevent them achieving their potential. Counselling is an opportunity to explore and examine these issues and find ways of resolving or managing them, in a safe environment. Our experienced Counsellor offers a confidential service which is open to all Students.

Therapeutic Intervention

Therapeutic Intervention involves a range of therapies to help support a Student’s transition through college. Therapies can include the Alexander technique, hydrotherapy and assertiveness skills.
 
Intervention Response Groups are available and involve specially trained members of RNC staff who will work with Students to address particular issues. These may include:

• Mental Health/Self Harm
• Alcohol Misuse
• Drug and Substance Misuse
• Aspergers/Autism
• Recent Sight Loss
• Sexual Health
• Anger Management
• Money Management