Ridley awarded grant for access project
We were greatly encouraged by the news at the end of Michaelmas Term 2020 that the college has been awarded a grant by Allchurches Trust towards the cost of our accessibility building project.
The grant of just over £29,000 will be used to purchase and install a platform lift that will serve our new basement library. The lift is a key element in making the library accessible for students, staff, and visitors, including students from across the Cambridge Theological Federation, and we are very pleased that Allchurches Trust are supporting us for what is a critical aspect of the whole project.
In welcoming the news, the Principal of Ridley Hall, the Revd Dr Michael Volland, said, "We are delighted to receive this grant from Allchurches Trust towards the work we are doing to make the library accessible, and we're very grateful to the Trust for helping us to achieve our vision. Making our library space available to everyone is at the heart of this project, and installing the lift will make this a reality."
Allchurches Trust Grants Officer, Andrew Bass, said: “We’re delighted that, thanks to our funding, the resources in Ridley Hall’s new library will be available to all who visit, opening up a world of knowledge and providing a place of spiritual sustenance.”
In addition to creating an accessible library space for disabled students and visitors, the wider project will also improve access to the courtyard, the Principal’s Lodge, Dining Hall and Common Room, and is expected to be completed by March 2021.
We’ve nearly achieved our funding target
The receipt of a grant from the Allchurches Trust puts us within striking distance of our target for the whole accessibility building project.
With over 95% of our funding secured, our final task is to finance the cost of refurbishing our new library. We will fit new desks, shelving and lighting in the library to ensure that we get the best use from this space, and maintain our commitment to making this resource accessible for everyone. The cost of this final phase of the project is estimated to be around £40,000.
Please help us to realise our vision to make Ridley Hall’s new library into an excellent study space for our community and our visitors. You can give to the Library refurbishment appeal via our donation page. Please mark your donation ‘Library refurbishment appeal’.
Thank you for your support.
Video update on the building project
See the progress in our latest video tour of the building works to improve access to the courtyard, the Principal’s Lodge, Dining Hall and Common Room and construct a modern accessible library:
