A ground-breaking education project to help people mental health problems is in the running for a major award.
Coleg Harlech WEA’s Open Minds project is short-listed in the Inclusive Practice Category of the Gwobrau Colegau Cymru 2012 (Colleges Wales Awards 2012).
According to Project Manager Sarah O’Connell Jones, the scheme is proving a big hit with learners across North Wales.
She said: “Coleg Harlech WEA has a well established history of working with learners who are socially excluded, disenfranchised or who are simply classed as hard to reach.
“As an organisation we have always tried to be welcoming and supportive to learners who face barriers to achieving their potential.
“However, it was recognised there were additional barriers to learning for individuals with mental illness and or, poor mental health.
“Coleg Harlech WEA recognised a clear strategy was needed to address this issue and secured a three year Big Lottery Fund grant for the Open Minds Project.”
Sarah added: “The Project has been running now for almost three years and has been incredibly successful and we are delighted to have been short-listed for the Gwobrau ColegauCymru 2012 award in the Inclusive Practice Category.
“I am really proud of our achievements which are due to the commitment of our tutors and partner agencies.
“Essentially we work with learners who are suffering from mental health issues or who are at a high risk of developing mental health issues.
“We work with both in and out patients delivering courses on subjects as diverse as gardening, digital photography, computers and IT and the arts.”
The Open Minds project has been working with learners at Tan Y Castell, a Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit in Ruthin.
Sarah said: “Tan y Castell had a piece of land alongside the Unit and learners, working alongside a committed tutor, developed the ground and are growing flowers and vegetables.
“This has been a really successful project and has helped us reach learners who are hard to reach. However, we have been astounded by what has been achieved.”.”
The Open Minds Project is also delivering computer and IT courses, as well as gardening and the arts to in-patient students at the Ablett Unit of Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan, gardening courses to in-patients of the Hergest Unit at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor and digital photography courses to in-patients of Ysbyty Bryn Y Neuadd, Llanfairfechan.
In addition to in-patients, the Open Minds Project is working with Mental Health working with mental health resource centres across North Wales.
Other agencies are also supported such as, Next Steps Flintshire, Hafal Wrexham and housing organisations such as Clwyd Alyn Housing Association and North Wales Housing.
Sarah said: “The Open Minds team are knowledgeable about mental health issues and are skilled in facilitating learning opportunities within community settings.
“It was so important and a real priority for the Open Minds Project that all our tutors had an empathy and understanding when it comes to mental health issues.”
Trefor Fȏn Owen, the Principal of Coleg Harlech WEA, is delighted that the Open Minds project is being recognised.
He said: “There are so many benefits for our learners being able to access flexible learning in an appropriate setting with an understanding tutor. Learners can have fun while being able to participate in a positive learning experience.
“Learners also have improved self confidence and socialising skills, increased skills levels and an increased interest in learning opportunities.
“We will find out if we have been successful at the Gwobrau Colegau Cymru 2012 awards ceremony which is, this year, being held at Venue Cymru, Llandudno.
“We have our fingers crossed but have every faith in the Open Minds Project which we feel has really increased awareness of mental health issues within Coleg Harlech WEA and in the wider community.”
