Cardiff and Vale College holds special Health and Wellbeing Festival for its staff

Cardiff and Vale College has run a special two-day mental Health and Wellbeing Festival, which was attended by more than 400 staff from across the College’s campuses.

The Festival was organised as part of the College’s ongoing commitment to the continuing professional development and the health and wellbeing of its staff. As well as inspirational keynote speeches from education consultants Nina Jackson and Mark Anderson, staff benefited from a variety of workshops focusing on supporting them to become more resilient and develop positive strategies to improve their mental health.

There were also workshops on how to effectively support learners with mental health issues and practical activities such as Tai Chi and healthy cooking. Sessions were delivered by College staff and Office Om, MIND, Georgina Jones of Turn the Lights On, Sasha Smajic, Charlie Waller and Digital Communities Wales.

CAVC Dean of Quality Improvement Michell Hiller-Forster said: “This conference was a core part of the launch of My CAVC Wellbeing as part of our staff journey. The College has recognised the importance in investing in the support of our staff, as well as full equipping them to support learners. We are grateful to all of those involved who helped make the conference a great success.”

James Donaldson, the College’s Additional Learning Co-ordinator, was instrumental in the organisation of the Festival. He added: “It was important to raise the profile of mental health and wellbeing across the College and to help staff best meet the needs of the learners.”

Key note speaker Nina Jackson said: “It was an absolute pleasure to be the opening keynote speaker at a spectacular event at CAVC in Cardiff. The College provided training for over 400 staff, addressing the needs of their personal wellbeing as well as the strategies to use in supporting the learners at the College.

“This event embraced all staff at the College, not just the lecturers, and was a celebration of wellbeing so that each individual was made to feel valued and respected for the hard work they dedicate in making the teaching, learning, support and administration of the College run smoothly.

“During the two days I was able to speak and support many staff and give them one-to-one advice on how to manage the stress of work and individual counselling. Many members of staff said this was the best training they have had in working many years at the College. Testament indeed to the hard work that went into the organisation of putting together such a wonderful festival.

“It was a pleasure and a privilege to be among some of our top Welsh education staff and to be able to play a key role in moving wellbeing and mental health issues forward in the College.”

About CAVC: 

• In 2016 CAVC won the prestigious UK-wide Association of Colleges Beacon Award for its innovative and sector leading apprenticeship provision
• Cardiff and Vale College is one of the top companies for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the National Centre for Diversity’s 2016 Top 100 Index. It has also been awarded the National Centre for Diversity’s Award for Welsh FE College of the Year 2016
• Cardiff and Vale College was awarded College of the Year at the 2015 and 2016 Insider Business and Education Partnership Awards