Members' News - March 2015

Lord Mayor's visit to Treloar's School and College 11 March 2015

The Master and Angie, along with other Masters and Consorts, joined the Lord Mayor's party for a day at Treloar's. We visited the Textile, Adaptive Technology, Printing and Woodwork Departments of the school and saw the children and staff at work. We learned how the school relies on funding from Local Authorities and requires to raise £1.5 Million each year from a variety of donors and supporters including Livery Companies and other Institutions and Trusts. They are currently awaiting to find what the future central government financial cuts will mean to their funding stream and will probably need to rely on further fundraising to balance their books.

We were entertained by children who gave a concert, singing solos and playing musical instruments. We were overwhelmed by the determination they displayed to overcome their severe disabilities. The staff were amazing and their dedication and patience were just incredible, helping children and students to achieve what would otherwise be impossible.

We spent a long time chatting to the children and it was clear just how they loved being there and wanted to learn to go on to live independently in the community.

The adaptive technology department makes innovative aids in house to enable the children to carry out tasks and control equipment, computers, etc, independently. Some of these are very simple but would be impossible or very expensive to procure externally.

The printing department generates revenue by taking in external commissions, such as posters, calling cards, booklets and brochures and they are very professionally produced. So if you require any such items do contact them and I am sure they will be only too pleased to quote!

We came away humbled and thinking what else we could do to help, perhaps by donating specific equipment, such as sewing machines and textile materials. Assistant Vic Flintham has volunteered to be our ambassador for Treloars and will be following this up with his own visit and will be reporting back to the Charity Committee in due course.