Arrival Advice

Please note that advice given to unaccommpanied individuals with disabilities will vary according to needs

On arrival, before entering the building, all guests will be shown the Fire Meeting Point and the fire escapes and exits from the bedroom areas in particular. You also advised as to the boundaries of the centre and instructed not to go near certain areas unless with an instructor.

Fire Procedures
Ensure that you have understood where the Fire Escapes and Fire Exits are.

Leave the building quietly and sensibly without running.

If the alarm goes off whilst you are in bed group any visiting staff should quickly check that pupils have left bedrooms.

It is a good idea to shake duvet or sleeping bag because some children are so small that a visual check is not always sufficient. Red Ridge residential staff will check all bathroom and bedroom accommodation. The alarm also goes off in the Directors house next door to the centre which means that the Director will also be checking that all appropriate measures have been taken and the building cleared.

Bedrooms
When showing guests their bedrooms we point out the way from their bedroom to the Fire Exits. Any visiting teachers or staff sleep in rooms very close to their pupils. Guests will be shown where their group leaders are sleeping. Guests will be shown their bathroom accommodation, this also being adjacent to that of the staff.

We often have clothing left behind or lost at the end of the week. It helps you to keep track of your clothing if you leave it in your bags, as far as is possible, unless you are actually wearing it.

Please do not use spray deodorants in bedrooms as this may set off the fire alarm. Before going to bed ensure that you have shoes, trousers and top immediately available so as to be prepared in the event of the fire alarm going off.

All guests are entitled to at least eight and a half hours sleep at night so we ask for absolute quiet in the bedroom areas between 23:00pm and 7:30am. Once the external doors are locked in the late evening guests are asked not to leave the building until after breakfast.

Sweets and chocolate are permitted in bedrooms so long as there is no evidence that this is the case. There is a complete ban on drinks in carpeted areas such as bedrooms, games room and lecture room.

Smoking is forbidden anywhere in the centre.

Many of the lights in the building are automatic but please try to help us save electricity by turning off bedroom lights when you leave the room.

No money or valuables are to be left in bedrooms. Safes are available in staff bedrooms. There are also lockers available in the dining room.

When you leave at the end of your stay you will be expected to leave your room as tidy as you found it. Please place all rubbish in the bin provided.

Meals
Breakfast is at 08:15. It is normally preferable if 2 or 3 from each table collect cereals, milk, sugar, dishes, spoons etc. from the kitchen counter. After meals please take your plates to the kitchen hatch. All food not eaten should be left on the plates or dishes to be disposed of by our kitchen staff in the waste disposal unit. When you have finished your cooked breakfast please wipe clean your table with the materials provided. When finished please stay sitting at the tables until Red Ridge staff have informed you of what is happening next. Morning activities commence at 09:15. The tuck shop is normally open between 08:45 and 09:05am.

Lunch is normally sandwiches which you will have made the previous day after the evening meal. Additional food such as bicuits, crisps, apples are provided along with hot and cold drinks.

Evening meal is normally a two course meal at 18:00. After evening meal groups make their own sandwiches which are then placed in the fridges overnight. Evening activities normally begin at 19:15.

Hot and cold drinks are available, free of charge, at all times in the dining room.

Drying Room
Clothes will only dry if you squeeze the water from them first (outside over the drainage grill) and hang up neatly. Put only larger items in the drying room such as coats, trousers, jumpers and shoes. Smaller items such as socks and underwear can be dried in the tumble dryer.

General
Please remove outdoor shoes on entering building and place on the shelves provided. If you are wet first call at the Drying Room and remove as much clothing as possible whilst remaining decent!

The Emergency Exit doors such as those in the Games Room and at the end of your corridor are not to be opened except in an emergency.

The new lounge is for visiting staff only.

If at any time you need help first contact your own staff if possible. If you can see no Red Ridge staff immediately available please Dial 0 on the telephone in the new lounge. If 0 fails, try 224 or 229. This telephone will be answered 24 hours a day. In the event of telephone failure ring the doorbell at the house at the bottom of the steps from the dining room.

Exercise commonsense and courtesy to all.

Activities
Canoeists. At 0905 meet at kit store with wellingtons or other footwear that you do not mind getting wet. You must be dressed suitably to survive the day. Assume that it will be wet and cold. You will be given additional waterproofs if necessary and a buoyancy aid. Sun can be unexpectedly dangerous especially when you are in the breeze, on the water - Carry and use quality sun cream. We will take your sandwiches and drinks with us.

Rock Climbers and Cavers.
At 09:10 meet in the dining room and sit at tables near to the fire exit. You must be dressed suitably to survive the day. Assume that it will be wet and cold. Cavers will need long trousers and long sleeves to protect themselves in the caves. Overalls and helmet will be provided.

Centre Activities. At 0910 meet in the dining room ready to start. Sit at the tables near to the lounge area. Be dressed to suit the weather conditions. If the weather changes you will have the opportunity to return to your rooms for additional clothing.