Nottingham College has won a national Beacon Award for its mental health and wellbeing support offered to staff and students at the College.
Shortlisted as a finalist at 2022’s national Beacon Awards, a team of assessors spent half a day back in January to meet with staff,
students and partners about the mental health and wellbeing support the College offers. Following this visit, the College was entered into a final, along with two other colleges, and on 27 February, at an awards event in London, Nottingham College was chosen as overall winner of the NOCN Group Award for Mental Health and Wellbeing.
The award acknowledges the College’s response to the pandemic, its enhanced support and resources for students and for its commitment to promoting a range of wellbeing initiatives amongst staff.
In addition, the College has been recognised for its online provision now on offer to employers and wider communities in our region, which includes a range of Level 2 courses on suicide and self-harm prevention, eating disorders, mental health awareness, and more.
The Beacon Awards recognise best in practice across the sector and this award places Nottingham College at the forefront of proactive wellbeing management.
Research commissioned by the AoC (Association of Colleges) shows increasing levels of mental health challenges amongst young people and adult learners. Without support, mental health conditions can limit not only someone’s education or academic potential, but can lead to often lifelong struggles with employment and financial hardship.
Janet Smith, Principal and CEO of Nottingham College, said: “This is absolutely fantastic news for Nottingham College and for Nottingham more widely. As a city, we have high levels of people suffering with diagnosed mental health conditions, as well as undiagnosed mental health challenges. To break this cycle, the College is investing heavily in the support we offer our learners early on in their journey, helping to build confidence, resilience and self-belief, as well as provide bespoke and targeted support through our network of wellbeing mentors and learning support teams. Our students and staff are in good hands and it’s fantastic to have this hard work recognised on a national stage.”
Photo: Accepting the award on behalf of the College were (l-r) Debra French (People Services Project Manager), James Swift (Director of Bids, Projects and Planning) and Rebecca Butcher (Head of Student Wellbeing)