Closeup of signage that says Ashley Down Centre for Independent Living positioned in front of the actual building

Independence Training Facilities

Our Independence Training Facilities students stay overnight from Sunday through to Friday, returning home over weekends and college holidays.

Open Events

We offer independence training alongside your course at City of Bristol College. At our Open Days you can meet staff and current residents and look around our residential training facility.

To book a slot at an Open Event, please call either our Brislington or Ashley Down facility. Brislington: 0117 377 1990 Ashley Down: 0117 312 5880 Alternatively you can email adam.metcalfe@cityofbristol.ac.uk.

Our Independence Training Facility Open Event Dates For 2025/2026

Our Independence Training Facilities students stay overnight from Sunday through to Friday, returning home over weekends and college holidays.

Download Open Event Dates 2025/26

What You Can Learn At The Centres

During their time at the centres, students develop skills for independent living. This includes cleaning, cooking, washing and learning how to use public transport.

We plan individual learning programmes with each student. We encourage students to work on these during their time at home

Learn Independent Living Skills

Brislington: 0117 377 1990
Ashley Down: 0117 312 5880

Plan and prepare healthy meals
Launder clothes
Shop for food and other essentials
Maintain personal hygiene
Manage a food budget
Plan a journey and use public transport
Stay safe and healthy. For example, learning to use household appliances

Develop Employability

Students Will Learn About:

Communication (suitable for the workplace)
Remembering instructions
Being punctual and travel planning

Gain Work Experience

Communication (suitable for the workplace)

The opportunity to take part in work experience
Support from staff at the house and at college

Socialise

Students Will Have The Opportunity To:

Work on projects with fellow college students.
Visit friends and family in Bristol (from the house).
Participate in social activities at the house and in the community.

Centres for Independent Living

City of Bristol College is proud to offer two dedicated Centres for Independent Living, providing high-quality residential training environments for students with additional needs. The Brislington Centre and the Ashley Down Centre demonstrate our strong commitment to inclusive education and allow us to support more learners through tailored, specialist provision in supportive residential settings.

Both centres offer structured environments where students can develop essential independent living skills alongside their full-time studies. With guidance from experienced staff, students build confidence, independence and practical life skills in a safe and supportive setting, helping them prepare for adult life beyond college.

The Brislington Centre For Independent Living – Main House
The Brislington Centre For Independent Living – Eco Living Pods

Apply To Be An Independence Training Facility Resident

The Brislington Centre For Independent Living

The Brislington Centre is a residential, independent living training facility in Bristol that supports students with additional needs who are currently enrolled on a full-time course with us.

Our Brislington Centre has capacity for 13 students.

40 School Road, Brislington, Bristol, BS4 4NN

The Brislington Centre is a space that contains all the facilities residents need in order to live independently.

The grounds are approximately one acre. They include a polytunnel and outdoor classroom where the students work on their own kitchen garden.

We have a number of raised planting beds across the garden. We are planning an accessible walkway and an orchard to make use of the full garden area.

The Ashley Down Centre For Independent Living

The Ashley Down Centre for Independent Living is our second residential, independent living training facility in Bristol that supports students with additional needs who are currently enrolled on a full-time course with us.

Our Ashley Down Centre has capacity for 12 students.

Ashley Down Centre, Ashley Down Road, Bristol, BS7 9BU

Get In Touch
We’d love to hear from you.

Adam Metcalfe – Strategic Residential Lead
adam.metcalfe@cityofbristol.ac.uk

Connor Kingdon – Independence Training Facility Manager (Brislington Centre)
connor.kingdon@cityofbristol.ac.uk

Patrycja Wojtowicz – Independence Training Facility Manager (Ashley Down Centre)
patrycja.wojtowicz@cityofbristol.ac.uk

Who Can Apply For The Independence Training Facilities?

Students must be enrolled on a full time course at City of Bristol College
Students must have a Bristol Educational, Health and Care Plan
Students must be aged 18-24 years old
Students must have an address within the Bristol City Council area
Students must have completed at least one year of study at the City of Bristol College

All four of these criteria must be met in order to apply.

If you would like to be considered for a place, please complete the application form below.

Independence Training Facility Application Form

About the Student

Name(Required)

First Last

Enter Email Confirm Email

Contact Phone Number (Mobile/Daytime)

Gender

Male

Female

Non-Binary

Prefer not to say

Date of Birth(Required)

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City County / State / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Does the student have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)?(Required)

Yes

Date of EHCP

Is This Student Looked After?(Required)

Yes

Section Number

Expected Outcomes and Reason for Referral(Required)

Student's Current Academic Level(Required)

Current Course Name

Course End Date

Year

Criminal Convictions

Does the student have, or have they had, any criminal convictions?(Required)

This may not affect the student’s place, however, failure to notify the college of any previous or current criminal convictions may lead to the student’s residential place being at risk due to the nature of the demographics of the Independence Training Facilities.

Yes

Date of Conviction

Nature of Conviction

Emergency Contacts

Name of First Emergency Contact(Required)

First Last

Address of First Emergency Contact(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City County / State / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Email of First Emergency Contact(Required)

Phone of First Emergency Contact(Required)

Name of Second Emergency Contact(Required)

First Last

Address of Second Emergency Contact(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City County / State / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Email of Second Emergency Contact(Required)

Phone of Second Emergency Contact(Required)

Has The Student Previously Studied at City of Bristol College?

Has The Student Previously Studied at City of Bristol College?(Required)

Yes

If so, which course did the student study?

Start and Finish Dates (of that course)

Student Number

Education prior to starting at City of Bristol College

Where Was The Student Educated Before City of Bristol College?(Required)

Previous Placement Address

Street Address Address Line 2 City County / State / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Has The Student Applied for or is Considering Applying for Independent Living Training at an Alternative College?(Required)

Yes

Key Contact Information

Key Contact Name(Required)

First Last

Key Contact Email(Required)

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Videos For Residents

We’ve made some videos to help you with some independent living, daily tasks at the Brislington centre. You can explore all videos on our YouTube channel.

Brislington Centre Bristol (YouTube)