News

ESC Students Embrace Time to Change!

Students from a variety of departments at East Surrey College came together to experience impactful workshops exploring mental health by Time to Change Surrey. 

Time to Change Surrey is a campaign and programme to raise awareness and reduce the stigma around mental health.

Professional actors gave powerful, interactive performances, acting out scenarios on topics that are very prevalent amongst students at the moment. These included post-pandemic stress, tutor-to-student relationships, peer pressure surrounding drugs, and anxiety.

Students watching the performance about post-pandemic stress	Professional actors displaying signs of post-pandemic stress

Enrichment & Wellbeing Officer, Harvey Kellard, commented:
“After what has felt like a crazy two years, this has been a great opportunity for students and tutors alike to learn more about these ongoing and important issues.”

The workshops were a fantastic opportunity for students to get involved and say how they would like to be treated in these situations. For tutors, they gave a fascinating insight into how students are feeling about these topics.

At the end of the sessions, students were invited to stand.  They were then asked to sit down if they had no mental health worries or didn’t know anyone with them either.  No one sat down – a moving illustration of young people’s mental health today.

Professional actors with our students at the end of the session

If you or someone you know needs support, head to our Wellbeing Hub available online for all to use, or speak to a member of our Safeguarding Team.