The lives of students at Treloar School and College in Holybourne are on the up thanks to three grants from East Hampshire District Council.

Treloar's is a charity that provides outstanding specialised education for physically disabled children and teenagers, helping them to be as independent as possible.

It relies on an array of complex and sophisticated equipment and the council’s grants have been put to good use paying for facilities that will help its students every day.

East Hampshire District Council’s Supporting Communities Fund put £7,272 towards a new inclusive learning environment packed with state-of-the-art technology.

The new facility will be centrally located on campus to give all students easy access and will include some amazing and inspiring equipment such as an immersible learning room which projects interactive images on to the walls and floor.

It will also boast a technology zone, gaming consoles, an interactive sandbox and a refreshed library.

Justine Windle, a deputy house manager at Treloar's, with student Amirah and Cllr Emily Young, December 2024.
Justine Windle, a deputy house manager at Treloar's, with student Amirah and Cllr Emily Young (East Hampshire District Council)
Louise Harding, Learning Resource Manager at Treloar's, Cllr Adeel Shah, EHDC Portfolio Holder for Community Development and Engagement, Cllr Graham Hill, EHDC Vice Chairman, Hannah Robbins, EHDC Community Development Officer, Karen Dawson, Head of Trusts at Treloar's, Treloar School and College, December 2024.
From left: Louise Harding from Treloar's, Cllr Adeel Shah, Cllr Graham Hill, Hannah Robbins from East Hampshire District Council and Karen Dawson from Treloar's (East Hampshire District Council)
Louise Spicer, Senior Occupational Therapist, Vicky Pitt, head of Occupational Therapy, and Karen Dawson, Head of Trusts at Treloar's, and Cllr Graham Hill, EHDC Vice-Chairman, with the Neater Eater his grant helped pay for. One person unnamed. Treloar School and College, December 2024.
Cllr Graham Hill with the Neater Eater his grant helped pay for (East Hampshire District Council)

Cllr Adeel Shah, the community development and engagement portfolio holder, is chairman of the Supporting Communities Fund committee.

He said: “This is a fantastic facility that will help change the lives of the students here. I am proud that we have been able to play our part in supporting this project and others at Treloar’s.

“Treloar’s is a unique school and college and well-regarded as among the best in the south. It is a real asset to Alton and to East Hampshire and we should be proud to see it flourish.”

Alton councillor Graham Hill gave the school £1,000 from his Councillor Community Grant Fund to help pay for a Neater Eater, a device that gives students with limited mobility the control they need at meal times.

He said: “Treloar’s is a fantastic school and college that does so much to help its students. The equipment they use is very specialised and can be very expensive and any help we can provide them is always welcomed.

“I was delighted to be able to give some part of my Councillor Community Grant to help pay for this brilliant bit of kit that will make a huge difference to the students’ daily lives.”

Cllr Emily Young, also from Alton, donated £910 of her Councillor Community Grant Fund towards a new hoist.

Many of the young people at Treloar’s have complex physical needs and require support throughout the day and night, using hoists to safely manoeuvre students within their classrooms and learning areas.

She said: “Treloar's is currently in the process of replacing around 151 hoists. They are all in daily use and are reaching the end of their working life so it makes sense for me to be able to pass on a grant that can go towards one of these vital pieces of equipment.”

The Councillor Community Grant Scheme is a budget of £3,500 allocated to each East Hampshire district councillor to support local voluntary and not for profit organisations within, or that benefit, their ward. Grants of up to £1,000 per councillor can be awarded.