Well-being
Chaplaincy
Our ecumenical Chaplain, Deborah, is actively involved in the life of the College in various ways.
The Chaplain’s principal role is to be freely available to all students of any faith and none, to offer help and advice, support and encouragement.
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This may be especially helpful at difficult or challenging times when you may have particular problems or concerns you would like to discuss, and these do not need to be limited to spiritual matters only. Contact the Chaplain for confidential consultations on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9.30am – 10.30am.
Through the Chaplaincy we aim to provide you with space and time to reflect and explore faith. There are opportunities for worship, friendship, celebration and social action, as well as supporting you through the key issues of the day.
Prayer Room
A classroom is available for prayer, meditation and reflection for students of all faiths.
I value having a Chaplain greatly, this is someone I can talk to about anything and who will support me in my search for faith, someone who will educate me in many things including but not limited to religion. This is an example pastoral care at its most accessible and welcoming.
Student
The Chaplain also co-ordinates social activities for staff and students.
The Chaplain is in College on Mondays and Tuesdays and her office is Room A161 in the Well-Being Centre.
This is on the first floor of the Aconbury Building, above the Library and besides Languages.
It doesn’t matter who you are, what you believe or how you act, but if you have a problem or not, the Chaplain will always be able to provide sound logical advice without judgement.
Student
Counselling
Counselling and emotional support is available for all students at the College.
The College Counselling Service offers Drop-In sessions as well as counselling appointments and can also signpost you to other kinds of support inside and outside of College.
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This may be especially helpful at difficult or challenging times when you may have particular problems or concerns you would like to discuss, and these do not need to be limited to spiritual matters only. Contact the Chaplain for confidential consultations on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9.30am – 10.30am.
What is counselling for?
If you feel unhappy or stressed, talking things over either as a ‘one off ‘or over a number of sessions, can help you to make sense of how you feel and to find new ways of dealing with problems, without being judged or told what to do.
Examples of personal issues that students bring to counselling include problems at College, bereavement, abuse, family problems, relationships/sexuality, eating problems, drug or alcohol issues, self-harm, and panic attacks. These are just a few examples, but you can talk about anything that is causing difficulty in your life.
It allowed me to just have an opportunity to talk about anything without a fear of being judged or worrying about confidentiality.
Student
Is it confidential?
Counselling is confidential, which means that nothing you say will be shared with anyone else without your permission.
The only exception is if you (or someone else) is in danger, in which case the Counsellor will talk over with you who might need to be told and why and your consent would be sought wherever possible.
These sessions at College have helped me so much, thank you. I am making real changes and feel so much better about myself and confident that I can make good decisions.
Student
What happens at the first appointment?
The Counsellor will tell you a bit about counselling and will ask you a few questions to help you begin to talk about what is troubling you. You can also ask any questions you have about using the service.
How long does counselling go on for?
If you decide to arrange further sessions after your initial appointment you will usually be offered up to 6 sessions. Regular appointments will be during one of your free periods and will last for 45 minutes.
If you need urgent help or feel at risk of serious harm then please see the Counsellor or Student Mental Health and Well-Being Adviser at a Drop-In in the Well-Being Centre, (no appointment needed) or consider talking to your Personal Tutor.
What is the Drop-In for?
You can Drop-In without an appointment on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 12.45pm-1.45pm and on Wednesdays 1.30pm-2.30pm. The Drop-In is somewhere that you can talk something over without having regular counselling sessions. You can also use it to arrange a counselling appointment or to ask for information about other types of support.
Great to talk to the Counsellor. I felt comfortable and it made me feel better having someone to talk to.
Student
Where is the Counselling Service and how do I get an appointment?
The Counselling Service is based in Room A159 in the Well-Being Centre. This is on the first floor of the Aconbury Building, above the Library and beside Languages.
Students can contact the Counselling Service by: emailing counselling@hereford.ac.uk, at a Drop-In, or can ask a member of staff to arrange an appointment.
I am certainly feeling more positive about my ability to actually get through my exams now thanks to your help.
Student
Physical-Wellbeing Manager
The Physical Well-Being Manager offers a 1 to 1 referral service for any students who may need additional support at college; referrals are made for a wide range of circumstances. The overall aim is to use exercise to improve mental & physical health, body weight management and any other lifestyle goals.
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The sessions are bespoke to each individual student and usually take place in the “Physical well-being room”, which is a isolated room that isn’t overlooked. Students are encouraged to try new things and push themselves outside of their comfort zone.
The video below features an example two success stories from the programme.
Student Assistance
Hereford Sixth Form College has teamed up with Health Assured to provide an online counselling service, providing a 24/7 helpline for wellbeing and mental health support to get you through life’s issues, problems and worries.
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This will run alongside and compliment our in-house counselling provision at college. As a student, you can access counselling by calling the support line (see below), asking your Personal Tutor to make a referral or you can self-refer (from the support line or the Wisdom App). The Wisdom App can be downloaded via the QR code below on the image below: it also has loads of advice and guidance about mental health, well-being and physical health.
How to access Student Assistance
Student Mental Health and Well-Being Adviser
The Student Mental Health and Well-Being Adviser provides a drop in service every day except Wednesdays from 12.45pm-1.45pm and is based in Room A160 in the Well-Being Centre (on the first floor of the Aconbury Building, above the Library and beside Langauges).
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Sometimes students are concerned about their well-being, or perhaps they are worried about a friend or family member and need to talk things through with someone who is not a teacher or a parent.
To help students make informed decisions about the issues that affect their lives, the Well-Being and Mental Health Adviser provides confidential information, advice and support on a range of personal issues including sexual health, drug and alcohol support, housing, finance and benefits.
Thank you for all your help with my situation. You were very helpful and it was good to talk to somebody.
Student
How to access Student Assistance
The Well-Being and Mental Health Adviser may sometimes make referrals (if necessary) to other staff in the College, such as the student’s Director of Studies or the Counsellor, or to external agencies if additional support is required by the student.
Health Awareness is also promoted throughout the College year with regular events such as Mental Health Awareness Day and Drug/Alcohol Awareness Day.
Students can come to lunchtime Drop-In sessions every day except Wednesdays between 12.45pm to 1.45pm, in Room A160 in the Well-Being Centre (on the first floor of Aconbury Building, above the Library and besides Languages) or can contact the Well-Being Adviser by emailing sixth-form@hereford.ac.uk or can ask a member of staff to arrange an appointment.
Student Support Team
Your friendly and caring Student Support Team are based in the PAC foyer near the Pavilion and are on hand throughout the college day to assist you with any general enquires or problems you may have.
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We can give you directions around the College and information about other services provided by the College.
If we are unable to assist with your specific enquiry we will direct you to someone who can.
In addition to this, the Student Support Team Office is the main issue and collection point for a whole range of items including:
- Meal vouchers.
- Timetables.
- Print credit.
- Lost property.
The team also hire out lockers for laptops, cycling helmets, sports equipment and clothing.
First Aid
The Student Support Team will also help you if you feel unwell at College or require first aid. We can assist with contacting your parents and making arrangements for you to go home.
The team operate an open door policy for anyone who is in need of a chat or some quiet time.
You are an excellent team of caring individuals who can make any student have a better day
Student
The Pavilion
The Student Support Team look after the Pavilion/Foyer, a large social space within the College.
We supervise students using the Pavilion and can assist students, staff and visitors wishing to use the facility for events and fundraising.
Cards and chess are available for hire to use in the Pavilion and the team organise an annual Chess Competition to determine the College’s Chess Champion for the year.
Safeguarding Team
If you have concerns about your safety or well-being or the safety of another student, please speak to your Personal Tutor, Lead Tutor, or any other member of staff you feel comfortable with.
View Safeguarding Team members
John Pratt
Director of Safeguarding, Inclusion and Development, Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), A117
Gemma Cosgrove-Ball
Lead Tutor, Deputy Designated
Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
Phil Tranter
Deputy Principal and Deputy
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), A061
Matt Bunston
Safeguarding and Pastoral Support
Manager, Deputy Designated
Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), A118
Jules Price-Hutchinson
Lead Tutor, Deputy Designated
Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
The Sanctuary
The Sanctuary is a quiet space where you can go for a few minutes peace or some time out if you are feeling a bit stressed.
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It is a place for quiet reflection and is also used occasionally for religious services and personal prayer.
The Sanctuary is in Room A163 in the Well-Being Centre (the first floor of the Aconbury Building, above the Library and beside Langauges).If we are unable to assist with your specific enquiry we will direct you to someone who can.
The Sanctuary has a calming atmosphere and ambience.
Student
The Sanctuary is a small homely room, it is a great place to get some peace on a hectic day.
Student
Well-Being Centre
The College Well-Being Centre is on the first floor of Aconbury Building, above the Library and beside Languages.
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Whether you need to talk confidentially about personal stuff, want to apply for financial support, need some sexual health advice, or just don’t know which way to turn, we will do our best to help you or to signpost you to the right kind of help.
Students can see any member of the Well-Being Team, either at a Drop-In or by making an appointment.
The team comprises:
- Counsellors
- Student Mental Health and Well-Being Adviser
- Chaplain
The Centre also offers a range of free leaflets and information about health and well-being issues, as well as a quiet space in The Sanctuary.
Students requiring first aid assistance or who are feeling unwell should see a member of the Student Support Team, which is based in the PAC foyer near the Pavilion.
If you would like to ask more you can email sixth-form@hereford.ac.uk or contact individual members of the team.
An extremely welcoming Sixth Form, thank you for describing how you make sure you are up to date with all things Mental Health related. It’s clear you are dedicated to taking the subject seriously with a caring, supportive approach! I highly recommended to those students who value having great support as well as education!
Parent, at an Open Event