Borders College Puts Inclusion at the Heart of the Start of Term

Supported Enrolment has been a regular feature @BordersCollege for a number of years and gives students valuable opportunities to access one-to-one support to get enrolled on their course. This year, we wanted to build on the success of the events so we worked with staff, students and partners to think about how we could make these sessions even more accessible for prospective students.

Amy Brydon, Equality Diversity and Inclusion Officer said:

“The changes we made to supported enrolment were inspired by the ‘quiet hour’ practices that are increasingly seen in supermarkets, where the lights are dimmed and the noise is lowered to create a more enjoyable experience for those with autism and other sensory difficulties. We wanted to create a similar experience for students at Borders College, where they could learn more about college life in a quiet and calm environment.”

Crucial to the success of the project was the involvement of those with lived experience and their representatives. Autistic staff and students and local disability partners played a really valuable role in shaping supported enrolment through their input and feedback.

The event itself offered one-to-one support to get signed up for courses, meet and greets with staff, welcome presentations, campus tours and space to sit down and relax with a complimentary cuppa!

The campus tours, which were run by a team of student ambassadors with lived experience of disability, were a particular highlight for visitors.

We would like to give a big thank you to all the fantastic students who supported the event, and to Borders Additional Needs Group for their valuable input.

Borders College is always looking for ways to create more inclusive spaces for our community. If you are interested in sharing your feedback, please get in touch. We are particularly interested in hearing the views of those from diverse backgrounds. Contact Amy Brydon to share your thoughts ([email protected]).