A LIGHT is being shone on the mental health and wellbeing of college students in Bolton.

Bolton College is ensuring that it is equipped to help address any issues faced by students after seeing an significant increase in the number of students needing help with their mental health and wellbeing.

The college has been working closely with Hopwood Hall College to become "trauma informed colleges" which take the approach of "what is happening for you" rather than the traditional "what is wrong with you?" when speaking to students.

Their work has been shortlisted for an Oscar of the further education world ­— the Association of Colleges' Beacon Awards.

The awards celebrate the best and most innovative practice among UK colleges each year, with the college in the finals for NOCN Group Award for Mental Health and Wellbeing, which recognises the work colleges are doing to support the mental health and wellbeing of their learners.

The support put in place to support students will, say the colleges, allow them to fulfil their potential and thrive and is getting national attention, with nine colleges so far having approached Bolton College and Hopwood Hall College to set up similar 'models'.

David Hughes, Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges, said: “The work colleges do on wellbeing often gets overlooked. But institutions and especially these final three have shown a whole college mental health strategy that impacts on improving teaching and learning and effective support. All this great, much-needed work enables students to feel secure and able to learn.”

The college has a mental health wellbeing team and among the support in place for students is a number of courses designed to build confidence to teaching coping mechanisms.

Joanne Green, Director of Quality at Bolton College, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have this work recognised by NOCN.

“Bolton College gives top priority to the mental health and wellbeing of its learners, and the trauma informed approach is central to our Wellbeing for Learning & Life Strategy.

“It has been a privilege to share this journey with Hopwood Hall College; we have learned so much from each other and continue to work closely as we move forward.”

Bill Webster, Principal of Bolton College, said: “Good wellbeing underpins successful learning, and this initiative allows our students to succeed, achieve and progress.

“We have really enjoyed working with Hopwood Hall College and we will continue to develop our partnership and share best practice with other colleges.”

The project is funded from a programme of work with the Association of Colleges (AoC), with funding from the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership.

Winners will be announced next spring.