Student Support Services
Meet our fantastic Student Support Team.
Who Are We?
We are Yeovil College’s Student Support Team and we are so passionate about helping you achieve your dreams that we have dedicated whole teams of people to provide responsive and flexible support to you. We are here to help students across Yeovil College who may have needs, issues or challenges of any kind.
We support students in several ways. Our number one priority is to ensure every student at Yeovil College has the best chance of success in their future goals. We offer support to all learners on areas such as: first aid, mental health and wellbeing, academic, financial, safeguarding concerns, period products, condoms and everything in-between. We also co-ordinate the YC Edge enrichment offer and the ‘Let’s Talk About’ group tutorial sessions and external visitors.
We encourage learners to knock on our door with any questions or worries, and you can email us at studentsupportservicesteam@yeovil.ac.uk (please do not report safeguarding concerns to us via email). Please be aware our email and office are only manned during college opening ours, these are NOT a 24/7 support service.
Safeguarding
Every person who comes into Yeovil College is important to us. We want to ensure your concerns are listened to and that you feel safe, respected and treated well at all times.
If you are worried or unhappy about something that has happened during your time at College, or in your personal life, we would like to help you. Safeguarding has a dedicated team of officers, if you have any concerns please contact us on 07973898849 between 9am-5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am-4.30pm on Friday.
We are not are not a 24/7 service so if you have any concerns when college is closed please contact the relevant local authority:
Dorset: 01202 657279
Somerset: 0300 123 2327
We strive to provide a safe and supportive environment for all learners at Yeovil College. We champion the Fundamental British Values across college, particularly through our ‘Let’s Talk About’ group tutorials. You will also learn about the Prevent Duty, the impact of extremism and the importance of understanding how this may affect you.
Wellbeing Support – Pastoral and Counselling
At Yeovil College our wellbeing support is provided by pastoral support practitioners and an onsite counsellor, who work together to provide both one-to-one and group support. We are focussed making sure every learner feels heard and understood and enabling every learner to thrive throughout their time at college.
Pastoral Support
At Yeovil College, students have access to a team of trained Pastoral Support Practitioners. Pastoral Support Practitioners can help and advise you on how to overcome personal challenges during your time with us. This could be anything from dealing with exam stress to navigating friendships or family life and support will always be tailored to suit your needs.
These sessions are offered weekly, on a one-to-one basis. Sessions will be offered at a time that fits around your timetable. To access this support please complete the referral form.
Counselling
We are proud to have an onsite counsellor, who is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), providing regular counselling services to learners of all ages. Counselling sessions are offered once a week for 50 minutes, for up to approximately 10 sessions.
Group Support – The Link and LGBTQIA+
The pastoral team also run a couple of enrichment groups, which we aim to facilitate weekly.
The Link is a small group bringing together likeminded learners who may be struggling with connecting with others, settling in at college, managing wellbeing or would just like a supportive way of meeting new people.
Our LGBTQIA+ group offers a space for learners from the community to come together, gain support, celebrate identities and more.
If you are a current student and interested in attending either group please email ycedge@yeovil.ac.uk or fill in the Enrichment form here.
FAQs
What are the differences between pastoral support and counselling?
Pastoral Support Practitioners
Help with your overall wellbeing and college life.
Support with issues such as stress, attendance, friendships, family problems or staying on your course.
Offer practical advice, regular check-ins, and signposting to other services.
College Counsellor
Provides confidential one-to-one sessions with a qualified counsellor.
Focuses on emotional and mental health difficulties.
Gives you a safe space to talk through personal problems.
Can help when issues outside college are affecting your wellbeing or studies.
Should I have pastoral support or counselling?
Whatever is happening for you, please fill in the referral form below. We will then figure out with you what the best options for support are. You can see our referral process below.
How can I access support?
Please check out our referral process below. Please note, this referral form can only be accessed by current learners.
We also run first aid training for staff and students at college. This means a range of staff are first aid qualified and that you can get involved with developing your first aid skills and gaining a qualification, through our First Aid enrichment offer. Interested? Email ycedge@yeovil.ac.uk and let us know!
Multi-Faith Support
At Yeovil College, we support all students regardless of their belief, religion and faith. We have bookable prayer and multi-faith rooms available here on campus, which are ideal for quiet contemplation and reflection. There are opportunities for those with faith to meet together and encourage one another, and Ben can meet students one-to-one to offer faith-based support.
Our Chaplaincy encourages good links with local faith leaders. Please contact Ben for more information: Ben.Graham@yeovil.ac.uk
Transitions Support
Transitions support is all about helping new and potential learners feel ready for and comfortable at college.
Our transitions team meet with local schools to understand which learners will be applying to come to Yeovil college and to organise group and individual tours around campus and experience days for anyone interested in coming. You can also reach out and book a tour with is yourselves, if you would like. Please email studentsupportservicesteam@yeovil.ac.uk to request this.
We offer face-to-face inclusion interviews to a wide range of learners, don’t be worried if you are offered one, this is just your opportunity to ask any questions and let us know how we can set things up to support you at college.
If you’re already a learner with us at YC you may benefit from transitions support if you are struggling to settle in (lots of people do!) or you are switching to a new course but worried about doing so. If this is the case please reach out by email or knock on our door.
Click and Collect Services
We know it’s not always easy to come by or afford sexual health and sanitary products and just how essential they can be to life, particularly as a young adult. Therefore, we offer a quick, easy, discrete and FREE service for condoms and a range of sanitary products. All you need to do when you are a learner is complete a form to order! Forms can be found on our MyHub page and via QR code on the Student Support office door.
Wellbeing Resources
You can find a wide range of resources and information to support your mental health and wellbeing below, including details of all the support we offer at Yeovil College.
Email us at studentsupportservicesteam@yeovil.ac.uk , call us or knock on our door with any questions. Please be aware our email and office are only manned during college opening ours, these are NOT a 24/7 support service. Please do not use email to report safeguarding concerns or if you need immediate support.
YC Edge Enrichment
Did you know the student support team also co-ordinate the YC Edge Enrichment offer? Find out more here YC Edge – Yeovil College Enrichment