The end of the academic year brings with it a multitude of stories of great achievement, fantastic progress and a feeling of sheer joy as many of our students graduate and move on to pastures new.
This is especially true for the five students who have now graduated from The Brislington Centre for Independent Living.
This highly specialist centre is a place where students learn to be independent and become equipped with the skills needed to help them excel in life.
Employment, independent living, community inclusion and health are all focus areas for our resident students during their two years at the centre, and it was a great privilege to celebrate all that they have learnt at their recent graduation ceremony.
Annie, Marcus, Dana, Rebekah and Nathan have done exceedingly well throughout their time with us and have achieved great heights that they never thought possible. They are now leaving us, ready for a new chapter in their lives and continuing their hard work on their journey to independence.
The evening was saturated with joy, tears and laughter; an emotional time as we bid farewell to them alongside their loved ones and family members.
When asked what he was most proud of, Nathan said: “I am incredibly proud of how much I have achieved this year, I have been able to maintain great relationships with people, been able to achieve great heights in independence out of and inside The Brislington Centre and I’ve got my first paid job at AbleCare Homes.”
When discussing their favourite memories, Dana commented: “My favourite memory of The Brislington Centre, the most happiest thing was seeing the staff, seeing my friends and doing jobs.”
Nathan reminisced on a particular highlight of his, adding: “My favourite memory is celebrating the Christmas season with the house and opening our secret santa gifts together. It was a really magical memory and lots of fun.”
Looking forward now, our graduates spoke of their future plans, Rebekah saying: “In the future, I would like to have a job that supports my acting and living situation, and I want to have my own driving licence so I can have a car.”
Each graduate proudly took part in the ceremony where they sported their mortarboard caps, were awarded their certificate by Vice Principal for Quality and Curriculum, Catherine Howett and received their very own little graduate bear.
A particular highlight of the evening was a Makaton performance from Dana who performed ‘A Million Dreams’ from The Greatest Showman, joined by Rebekah.
All that’s left to say is a huge congratulations to each individual graduate. Each and everyone has achieved so much; we are incredibly proud and wish them the best of luck as they take their next steps.
After the huge success of The Brislington Centre as a dedicated safe space where students learn to be independent and become equipped with the skills needed to help them excel in life, comes the news that City of Bristol College are opening a second Centre for Independent Living in Ashley Down in September.
This will see our opportunity to offer specialist training in independence increase dramatically – watch this space as we bring you news over the next couple of weeks of the new centre opening.
