At Priestley College, we recognise that looking after your mental health and wellbeing is an important part of college life. We want every student to feel supported, valued and able to access help when they need it.
Our aim is to create an environment where students can talk openly about their wellbeing, ask for support and develop the confidence and resilience they need to navigate both the challenges and opportunities that come with life at college. That is why we make it part of our mission, which is to inspire, challenge and support students to excel in learning and in life.
Our approach to wellbeing is built around supportive relationships and early intervention. We work with students to understand their individual needs and provide appropriate guidance, pastoral support and practical help to enable them to succeed both personally and academically.
On this page, you will find information about the different ways we support mental health and wellbeing at Priestley. This includes the support available within college, alongside information about external organisations and specialist services that students can access when additional support is needed.
We also recognise the important role that parents and carers can play in supporting a young person’s wellbeing. By working together, we can help students feel listened to, supported and confident in seeking help when they need it.
If you are concerned about your mental health or the wellbeing of someone else, please don’t feel you have to manage things alone. Speak to a member of the Priestley Wellbeing Team or a Progress Tutor, who can help you identify the most appropriate support.
Meet our Wellbeing Team
Priestley's wellbeing accreditations
Priestley College is proud to have received the FE Mental Health Award, Gold Accreditation, for the work it does to support the mental health of students and staff. The award is supported by the charity Minds Ahead and the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools.
Priestley College has been awarded the Carer Friendly Mark by Warrington Carers Hub, in partnership with N-Compass – Towards a Brighter Future. The award recognises our ongoing commitment to identifying and supporting young carers across the College, helping to ensure they feel recognised, valued and supported throughout their time at Priestley. It reflects our commitment to creating an inclusive college community where every student is able to thrive, whatever their circumstances.
Mental Health First Aiders
Mental Health First Aiders are part of the wellbeing at Priestley team and a point of contact if you, or someone you are concerned about, are experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress.
They are not therapists or psychiatrists, but they can give you initial support and signpost you to appropriate help if required.
Many of the staff at Priestley College are trained in Mental Health First Aid, above are some of the staff that can support you, others include our Pastoral Heads, Progress Tutors and Study Support Team.
Wellbeing at Priestley resources
The Wellbeing Team has created three booklets to help students, and parents and carers to promote positive wellbeing. The booklets contain lots of useful contacts that will help you in times of need.
The ‘Welcome back to Wellbeing’ booklet contains local and national organisations that offer support for young people. If students live outside of our local areas and are unable to access organisations mentioned, they can use the ‘Hub of Hope’ which is the national Mental Health database.
‘Relaxation Strategies for your Wellbeing’ will help students to look after their wellbeing and give them ideas for building resilience. A useful resource for difficult times. This booklet is full of practical tips and information on managing stress and achieving and maintaining positive mental health and emotional wellbeing.
How Kooth can help
Want to overcome anxiety?
Mental Health support
stem4 is a charity that promotes positive mental health in teenagers and those who support them including their families and carers, education professionals, as well as school nurses and GPs through the provision of mental health education, resilience strategies and early intervention.
This is primarily provided digitally through an innovative education programme, pioneering mental health apps, clinically-informed website and mental health conferences that contribute to helping young people and those around them flourish. Click the logo to be taken to the apps that can help with mental health.
Keys to happiness
During even the most difficult times there are some keys to happiness that can help. Here are six of the most important ones that the Wellbeing at Priestley team think can make a difference to you right now..
Could you be a young carer?
Do you help look after someone in your family who is unwell, disabled, have a mental health or substance misuse issue?
Caroline Atkinson is the young carers champion, and Mark Edgington is the designated teacher for young carers.
