Cardiff and Vale College has been recognised as one of the best colleges in the UK for its work to promote mental health and wellbeing and for its innovative use of digital technology in further education.
The College has been commended in the Association of Colleges (AoC) Beacon Awards in two categories: the AoC Award for Mental Health and Wellbeing and the Jisc Award for Effective Use of Digital Technology in Further Education. Widely known as the ‘College Oscars’, the prestigious Beacon Awards recognise Further Education institutions that go above and beyond in their service to learners and the wider community.
CAVC delivers a holistic and inclusive wellbeing programme supporting learners throughout their journey at the College. This includes targeted interventions to ensure that all learners – particularly those at risk – access the support they need.
This is underpinned by the College promoting a culture of safety, respect and engagement with the Love Your Campus initiative fostering pride, belonging and shared responsibility across the CAVC community. Wellbeing is embedded into the curriculum through a comprehensive tutorial programme, enriched with preventative workshops and whole college events focused on diversity and inclusion.
Learners benefit from 24/7 access to personalised support via the Student Assistance Programme, alongside enrichment activities, Students Union clubs and active wellbeing opportunities. Staff work collaboratively across departments to ensure wraparound support is in place, with robust tracking and monitoring systems identify learners at risk of disengagement.
Teaching teams are encouraged to embed critical thinking and respond to naturally occurring opportunities to explore personal development themes. Learner voice is central to provision, creating a responsive, empowering environment where every learner feels safe, supported and able to succeed.
Meanwhile, CAVC’s involvement in the Anti-Racism Curriculum project required the development of an anti-racist learning programme suitable for the Further Education sector, including the development of a blended tutorial mode and relevant subject modules. The scope was expanded to include the development of an immersive digital environment as well to expand the breadth of curriculum modules covered through the creation of a metaverse – the first anti-racist virtual world.
The project was to be delivered by Further Education Institutions with support from reviewers with lived experience of racism and expertise in anti-racist practice. As well as the tutorial mode, the subject areas of history, maths, sociology, hair and beauty, philosophy, biology, health and care and psychology were identified as key areas for resources developed in the mediums of English and Welsh.
The Beacon Awards finalists will be announced at the AoC Annual Conference on 18th November.
Cardiff and Vale College Principal Sharon James-Evans said: “We are thrilled to have been commended for two highly prestigious Beacon Awards.
“As the largest college in Wales and third largest in the UK, we place the mental health and wellbeing of the entire CAVC community at the heart of what we do. And, as the College which operates in one of the most diverse and vibrant communities in Wales, we strongly believe in the use of digital technology to ensure all the communities we serve feel respected and included.
“These two commendations are testament to the hard work and dedication of CAVC colleagues across the College.”