Mental Health and EDI Charters in Commitment to Well-Being inclusion:

In a significant step towards fostering a more supportive and inclusive environment, Bournemouth and Poole College officially signed the Association of Colleges’ Mental Health Charter and the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Charter in a ceremony where senior staff and students attended.

The signing was opened by Jayne Courtney who introduced the Mental Health Charter, emphasising that mental health is as crucial as physical health, and that the college is more than dedicated to creating an environment where students feel safe, supported and encouraged to seek help when needed. As a college, it is recognised that students don’t always feel ready to get help, so it is important that the support offered is frequently advertised to make students aware that it is there when they need it.

Jayne states “By signing this Charter, we are pledging to: Promote mental health awareness through education and training, to provide accessible support services for students and staff, to foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and heard, and to collaborate with other agencies and mental health professionals to offer the best possible care.”

A student representative then spoke passionately about the impact of mental health support on student success. “It’s vital that every student has access to the well-being support they need to enable them to achieve success here at the college. By signing up to the AoC Mental Health Charter, we can see that the college is determined to create a compassionate and understanding environment where mental health is prioritised and stigma is reduced. It will help ensure every student feels seen, heard, and cared for.”

Following this, Phil Sayles, representing the college leadership team formally signed the Mental Health Charter, marking a renewed commitment to mental well-being. 

The second part of the event focused on the signing of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Charter, in which Jayne spoke about the significance of fostering an environment where all students and staff feel valued, respected and included. Jayne went on to say “Equity, diversity, and inclusion are not just words; they are principles that guide our actions and shape our communities. This Charter represents our pledge to uphold these principles and to work tirelessly to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive here.”

Another student then went on to say “It’s really important that every student, no matter their background, feels valued and that they belong here at the College. This enables us to achieve and develop to be the best we can be.” With that, Phil formally signed the EDI Charter, solidifying the Colleges dedication to this.

As this event concluded, there was a strong sense of optimism and responsibility as a collective. With these commitments now in place, Bournemouth and Poole College are taking significant steps towards building the safest environment possible towards mental wellbeing, equality, and diversity.