Coleg Elidyr

Coleg Elidyr is a specialist college of further education and training for young adults with learning difficulties and disabilities. It is the only further education college in Wales to have achieved formal accreditation by the National Autistic Society

Founded in 1973 and set in 180 acres of stunning rural Carmarthenshire, Coleg Elidyr is a specialist residential college for young people with learning difficulties and disabilities. The only college in Wales to have achieved formal Accreditation by the National Autistic Society, we have been judged as ‘Excellent’ by Estyn, the Education and Training Inspectorate for Wales.

At Coleg Elidyr, we understand that being away from family and friends can be a daunting experience for anyone and we work hard to ensure we provide a homely and secure environment where all students feel safe and at home. All students have a designated a key worker who provides pastoral support. We also recognise that for some people, building friendships can be a challenge and so an open door policy and our unique site are used to support students to invite friends for meals and make social visits to other houses.

Each of our seven houses has its own unique feel and during our admissions process we are careful to identify which house is best suited to individual students. Regular ‘house meetings’ are where students decide on social activities, examples of which include swimming, crafts, visiting the gym as well as socialising with peers at local pubs, clubs and other cultural activities.

Meal times are always a shared experience for staff and students providing a time for social interaction. All students are supported in playing an active role in shopping, budgeting and preparing healthy meals.We believe that everyone has the potential to contribute to the running and management of the home and ask all students to take a fair share of responsibility. Everyone is allocated a duty and is supported as necessary to undertake household chores such as the cleaning of communal areas and own bedrooms.

Opportunities and support for learning and personal development at Coleg Elidyr span daily education sessions and residential living environments. House managers and the Heads of programmes work closely to ensure students are given every opportunity to flourish.

College life is underpinned by our commitment to Total Communication. This ensures all students are given every opportunity to understand and to be understood. A breadth of communication resources and approaches along with a recognition of individual communication needs and preferences, not only empowers individuals to maximise their achievements at College but ensures that individuals are best prepared for post-college adult living and the challenges that may bring.

The curriculum at Coleg Elidyr was originally inspired by the educational and social philosophies of Rudolf Steiner and Karl König. It emphasises experiential, practical learning and offers a blend of practical skills, arts and crafts and skills for independent living that aims to enable the learner to move from doing to understanding and from experience to knowledge. Through living, learning and working together, each individual has the opportunity to develop his or her own skills and abilities and can grow in self -esteem and confidence. Work experiences on the college site and with local businesses and organisations are integral to each individual’s timetable.

Each student follows a personalised learning programme according to their own abilities, needs and aspirations. Coleg Elidyr Camphill communities currently offers two formal programmes through the Foundation Education programme and the Trainee and Transition programme. We provide up to 52 weeks per annum residential provision on the College site and in Victoria House in nearby Llangadog. We also provide supported living opportunities through our wholly-owned subsidiary company Towy Valley Care.