New name unveiled for specialist education and care service

RNIB Rushton School and Children's Home has officially launched a new name and logo, RNIB Pears Centre for Specialist Learning, as part of a major redevelopment

The name change is in recognition of the exceptional support of Pears Foundation which has invested more than £1 million in the Coventry-based service, helping RNIB provide state-of-the-art facilities for young people with complex needs who are blind or partially sighted from all over the UK.

The redevelopment, which is due for completion in 2012, has so far created five bungalows designed to encourage independence as well as cater for individual needs. A new school will be ready later this year and will include specialist classrooms and multi-sensory environments. A hydrotherapy suite will be built in 2012.

Ginny Tyler, Principal Manager: Care and Wellbeing at RNIB Pears Centre for Specialist Learning, said: "We are delighted to be working with Pears Foundation to create an environment in which our children and young people can reach their full potential for learning. Young people moved into the new bungalows just three weeks ago and already we're seeing a positive impact on their behaviour and quality of life. They enjoy spending time in the gardens and have begun growing vegetables and using the paddling pool. The opportunity to explore and extend their environment in these new and beautifully designed homes is really exciting!"

Trevor Pears CMG, Executive Chair, Pears Foundation, said: "Our family is delighted to support RNIB Pears Centre which builds on fifty years of RNIB's expert education and care. I believe this centre will help transform the lives of the children and young people who live and learn there."

For more information visit www.rnib.org.uk/pearscentre