HER Royal Highness the Princess Royal attended Weston College's Health and Active Living Skills Centre yesterday (Thursday, March 30, 2023).

The facility aims to inspire young people into pursuing careers in the healthcare and sports industries.

HRH The Princess Royal went on a tour of the facilities alongside His Majesty’s lord-lieutenant of Somerset, Mr. Mohammed Saddiq and Weston College’s principal and chief executive, Sir Paul Phillips CBE.

The visit included a demonstration of an inclusive sports session with Special Education Needs Learners and the College’s Football Academy students' strength and conditioning class.

Learners from Health and Social Care, as well as apprenticeship students, also had the chance to showcase their work and skills on a medical mannequin, which help prepare them for working with real patients.

During the visit, The Princess Royal also met key members of the College leadership team and the chair of Governors, Andrew Leighton-Price, as well as local dignitaries including chair of North Somerset Council, councillor Karin Haverson, mayor of Weston-super-Mare, councillor Sonia Russe and member of Parliament for Weston-super-Mare, Mr. John Penrose.

The state-of-the-art facility boasts a training hospital ward, science laboratories, a full size 3G pitch, a full-size rugby pitch, a multi-gym, and a sports hall. 

The event concluded with The Princess Royal unveiling a plaque to officially open the Weston College Health and Active Living Skills Centre.

Commenting on the visit, Sir Paul Phillips CBE said: “I feel both honoured and privileged to welcome and share this impressive development with The Princess Royal.

"This is her fourth visit to the College, The Princess Royal opened Loxton Campus in 2008, South West Skills Campus in 2018, and then the redevelopment of the Winter Gardens in 2021.

“I am very proud to see where the Weston College Group is today, and how we continue to contribute to the regeneration of Weston-super-Mare through the creation of inspiring facilities for both leaners and the community.

“We have worked with key business partners to ensure that the Health and Active Living Skills Centre is tackling the current skills shortage in the sector and address the longer-term issues that affect our health service and the health of the local population.”

For more information about the Health and Active Living Skills Centre, visit the Weston College website.