THE education minister, Jeremy Miles, visited Grŵp Llandrillo Menai to talk to staff and learners about the college group’s work to support their mental health with the aid of Welsh Government funding.

The government has allocated more than £7million to support the mental health and wellbeing of further education staff and learners across Wales since 2020.

Grŵp Llandrillo Menai has used this funding to appoint well-being mentors, student counsellors and wellbeing enrichment officers, to provide mental health training for staff, and to produce a college wellbeing strategy.

As part of its mental health partnership with Coleg Cambria, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai has led on the development of a bilingual survey and early intervention tool to measure wellbeing.

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The survey provides instant feedback to learners, enabling them to track their overall wellbeing whilst identifying learners who would benefit from personalised support.

The colleges’ partnership programme has helped to develop self-awareness, build resilience and help students and staff discuss anxiety more openly.

After the visit, Mr Miles said: “It has been fantastic to meet staff and learners today to see the valuable work they are doing to support mental health and wellbeing in further education.

“We are still feeling the impact of the pandemic on well-being, but I want to ensure that everyone has the right to a happy educational experience.

“Supporting mental health and wellbeing for both staff and learners is crucial, and I am pleased to see the work being done to achieve this.”

Dafydd Evans, chief executive for Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, said: “Welsh Government funding has been invaluable during the pandemic in supporting some of our vulnerable learners.

“The visit was a wonderful opportunity for the minister to directly meet learners and the inspirational and committed staff who have worked tirelessly to provide such an effective service.”