From your first day at College you will be assigned a Study Programme Tutor (SPT) with whom you will have weekly group sessions. You can talk to them, or another teacher, about any worries or concerns you may have. The College also has a team of Personal Development and Wellbeing Mentors (PDWMs) who are available to offer additional practical support and advice. Please note that PDWMs are not counsellors or therapists.

Students can be referred to a PDWM in their curriculum area by their SPT or subject tutors. Students can also make a self-referral by going to the Wellbeing office at their campus and speaking with a member of the team. PDWMs may offer any combination of the following services through one-to-one, thirty minute sessions:

LISTENING SERVICE

Mentors are on hand to listen as you talk through any difficulties that you are experiencing. Mentors can support you to explore and develop strategies for managing these challenges.

SIGNPOSTING SERVICE

Mentors can point you in the right direction of specialist external support services, including charities, organisations, helplines, groups and societies, and resource websites, who can offer more targeted help.

ADVOCACY

Mentors can support you in communicating with the college and external agencies. They can accompany you to class or in-college meetings. With your consent, they can liaise with tutors and other stakeholders on your behalf.

STUDY SKILLS (LEWES/NEWHAVEN ONLY)

Our designated Study Skills Tutor can support students with the transition to college courses, particularly with the demands of A-Levels. They can help with developing revision strategies, time management, exam techniques, essay writing, study plans, essay writing, and studying with neurodiversity.

SEXUAL HEALTH

The Safeguarding and Wellbeing office acts as a C-Card Station, where students can register for a C-Card and access free contraception, STI testing kits, and signposting to sexual health services. This is for Lewes and Hastings only. Eastbourne have sexual health advice twice weekly in the Refectory.

Depending on availability, PDWMs may be able to offer scheduled weekly/fortnightly/monthly sessions. Students are also provided with their assigned PDWM’s college mobile number to arrange ad hoc sessions, and to request specific help during college hours.