HRH The Princess Royal visited New College Worcester to meet some of the school's overseas volunteers and the blind and visually impaired students they help.

Each year, Lattitude international volunteers provide support for the secondary school and college’s students during the school day as well as in the residential housing and extracurricular activities.

Patron of the charitable organisation, Princess Anne was flown in by helicopter on Wednesday (January 6) and later unveiled a plaque to mark her visit.

She received a tour of the residential houses and the Fit4Purpose multi-gym and watched classroom demonstrations including Independent Living Skills.

Nic Ross, principal of NCW, said: “The Lattitude Global Volunteers who come to NCW gain such a lot from the experience, learning to work with our amazing young people.

“NCW also gains a huge amount from them as they bring their international perspective, youth and energy.”

Speaking of her recent experience as a Lattitide Volunteer at New College Worcester, Charlotte Wallberg said: “In the year I was at NCW, this wonderful school became my second home and the lovely students, staff members and volunteers became my second family.

“I believe volunteering is really important because of the difference one can make in other people’s lives and in return they will change yours.

“For me, it was a very rewarding and a once-in-a-lifetime experience that made me grow as a person and completely changed my perspective on life,” she added.

Formerly RNIB New College, NCW is an independent boarding and day school for students, aged 11–19, who are blind or partially sighted.

Opened in 1866, it caters for around 80 students.