Burnley College produces online guide to steer students and staff through lockdown

The Health and Wellbeing booklet contains top tips and plenty of links to resources so that all members of the wider Burnley College family can access to keep in optimum physical and mental health.

The guide encourages individuals to stay connected and plan regular chats with their family, friends and classmates, whilst advising them to follow as regular a routine as possible.

Nutrition and exercise tips are shared and even tips on how to get a good night’s sleep.

Information is also given on how to access the Big White Wall, the college’s online wellbeing portal,

which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to current students, apprentices and staff.

It offers an anonymous, supportive community (monitored by professionals) as well as digital

workshops and resources to combat issues such as anxiety, grief, loneliness and depression, among

many others.

In addition, students and apprentices are able to access a comprehensive range of engaging,

motivational and fun activities online to ensure they don’t miss out on learning.

A week-long festival of fun, ‘Spring Forward’, kick-started the return to college following the two-week Easter break. Getting the new term underway with a positive and upbeat attitude, online activities and group sessions run by the enthusiastic Student Services team included quizzes, virtual coffee and a chat, yoga, TikTok challenges, belly dancing and photo competitions.

The college’s award-winning Fitness Evolution staff have also been providing weekly online workout sessions open to students, apprentices and staff, while the College’s social media channels have been packed with fun activities, competitions and top tips on staying safe and well for the whole community.

Staff have also had the opportunity, while working remotely, to facilitate their continuous professional development through bespoke training sessions delivered online. More than 500 members of staff also simultaneously took part in an online staff development day, promoting team working, communication skills and innovation.

College principal Karen Buchanan said: “I am so proud of the way every member of the Burnley College family has embraced the opportunities that remote teaching, learning and training offers.

"Our students and apprentices are still making progress to their goals; our applicants are discovering more

about college life and our staff are continuing to inspire and motivate through the individualised support that makes Burnley College such a special place.

“While, we’ve been ensuring that academic progress is made, we have also invested significant time and effort in maintaining good mental health and wellbeing in all of our students, apprentices, applicants and staff.

"These are unprecedented times and life is far from normal, it is important that every member of the Burnley College family knows that we are here for them."