Mencap Dilston College

Mencap Dilston College
Dilston Hall
Corbridge
Northumberland NE45 5RJ
Telephone 01434 632 692

Mencap Dilston College is an independent specialist college which provides a high standard of education and care for students aged 16 to 25 who have moderate to severe learning disabilities. Mencap Dilston College offers places to students with a broad range of complex needs including medical needs and challenging behaviour as well as excellent staff training and expertise in autism and communication difficulties.

Mencap Dilston College is situated in Northumberland close to the towns of Hexham and Corbridge with easy access to the city of Newcastle. Mencap Dilston College offers both day and residential placements.

Mencap Dilston College is committed to providing a high-quality education through their teaching and learning environment and helps students gain the skills and confidence they need to move on to the next stage in their lives, whether that is gaining employment, moving towards independent living or progressing onto further study.

The aim of the curriculum is to provide opportunities that enable students to develop their functional, vocational and personal skills.  Mencap Dilston College provides individual programmes, tailored to meet the needs of the student enabling them to gain accreditations work and life skills.

Students considered:

Moderate to severe learning difficulties
Complex needs (medical needs, challenging behaviour)
Autism
Communication difficulties

Courses include:

Mencap Dilston College aims to offer a broad curriculum with routes within the Foundation Learning areas of Vocational Studies, Personal and Social Development and Functional Skills.

Mencap Dilston College offers Award, Certificate and Diploma courses at Entry Level and Level 1 within the Curriculum areas of:

Self care and daily living skills
Travel and community access
Health, fitness and Citizenship
Land-based studies
Catering and hospitality
Functional skills: English, Maths, ICT 
Arts
Sport and recreation

The structure of the Foundation Learning curriculum allows staff to work with students to plan units of accreditation with an emphasis on learners’ individual needs in a range of areas.

Short courses and individualised courses

Mencap Dilston College now offers tailored learning packages giving learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities of all ages the option of short courses and other individualised courses.  These would be tailored to the specific needs of the learner and could cover a range of areas such as:

Independent travel training
Independent living skills
Managing relationships
Managing money

If you would like to know more about these courses please contact the college’s Learner Admissions and Marketing Officer.

Work Experience

To enhance students’ vocational learning choices, Mencap Dilston College offer an extensive work placement program with a wide range of supportive local employers.

Students are also offered work placement opportunities at the college itself in the main kitchen, café, bakery, laundry, office reception and gardens.

Activities include:

The extended curriculum helps to prepare students for the next stage in their lives in a way that matches their individual needs and interests.

There are many activities to get involved in out of college. Students are supported by staff to choose and organise activities they would like to do in their spare time and these can include some of the following:

Shopping
Visits to the cinema and library
Visits to the leisure centre to swim, play bowls, keep fit
Youth club/discos
Meals out
Going to the pub
Weekend camping trips
Taking part in local workshops and festivals
Enterpise/Farmers' Market
Horse riding
Football tournaments/swimming galas

As well as being involved in the College's daytime programs, day students are encouraged to participate in the extended curriculum activities with the other students. The college realises the importance of working closely with families or care providers to help the student gain the best from their time at college.

For further information, contact your Connexions Personal Adviser as specialist funding is needed.