A TOP national award has been won by Accrington and Rossendale College.

The National Beacon Award for Health and Community Care - sponsored by healthcare firm Burke Ford - was awarded to the college for its unique "tutor training for deaf people" initiative.

The course has been run all over the country by staff from Accrington and Rossendale College, who have trained members of the deaf community to put on learning programmes which will help other deaf people to develop healthy lifestyles.

The ten tutors who have already been trained have a personal understanding of the needs and problems faced by deaf people, and can speak to them using British sign language, which they can easily understand.

Classes are taken in venues ranging from colleges to health clubs and topics covered include nutrition, stress management and exercise.

A second group of tutors is now undergoing training and further qualifications are being developed.

The college faced tough competition to win the award and its success, announced at the Association of Colleges Conference, reflects the high quality of the unique initiative.

The award was presented by Nigel Manley, managing director of Burke Ford. A representative from the Association of Colleges also attended, along with various college staff, students and guests from organisations such as ELTEC, East Lancashire Careers Service and local schools.

The college will join other Beacon Award winners at the national presentation ceremony in London in May. The presentations will be made by Baroness Blackstone, minister of state for education and employment.

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