In this episode Polly Harrow is joined by Lisa Capper, Principal and Chief Executive at Stoke on Trent College. In this uplifting episode Polly and Lisa discuss finding the joy and hope in FE, and Lisa shares positive case studies from Stoke on Trent College that highlight the impact colleges have on their learners and communities.

Episode eight: Lisa Capper

In this episode Polly Harrow talks to Darren Hankey, Principal and Chief Executive at Hartlepool College of FE. They discuss the college's trauma-informed approach to engaging students that are both disadvantaged and disengaged. Darren shares insights that highlight the profound impact of empathy and understanding in the learning environment.

Episode seven: Darren Hankey

In this episode Polly Harrow is joined by Colin Booth, Chief Executive at Luminate Education Group. Polly engages in a candid conversation with Colin who shares valuable perspectives on managing sector pressures and seemingly unmanageable workloads. Colin shares personal experiences, offering practical tips for other FE Leaders.

Episode six: Colin Booth

In this episode Polly Harrow talks to Mike Driscoll, Chief Operations Officer at Southampton Engineering Training Association (SETA). They discuss SETA's approach to supporting their apprentices with mental health and wellbeing and the challenges of supporting all learners in a male dominated environment and sector.

Episode five: Mike Driscoll

In this episode Polly Harrow talks to Alex Miles, Managing Director at Yorkshire Learning Providers about the challenges and ways of supporting apprentices with their mental health and wellbeing. *Content warning, this episode references difficult topics including self-harm and suicide.

Episode four: Alex Miles

Learner mental health and wellbeing

In this episode Polly Harrow talks to staff from Chichester College Group, including a former learner that has recently finished studying at the college. They discuss their trauma-informed approach to supporting learners in their mental health and wellbeing across the group and how they’ve implemented this to ensure it’s a whole organisation approach. Content warning: in this episode they discuss supporting learners with self harm and suicide.

Episode three: Chichester College Group

Staff mental health and wellbeing with Weston College

In this episode Polly Harrow talks to Sir Paul Phillips, Principal and Chief Executive and Dr Georgie Forde, Strategic Lead – Healthcare and Nursing at Weston college about their experience and learning from their trauma-informed approach to mental health support. They focus on their approach to supporting staff mental health and wellbeing the impact of this on changing the culture of the organisation.

Episode two: Weston College

In this episode Polly Harrow talks to Palvinder Singh, Principal and Chief Executive of Kirklees College about how he drives the culture change towards becoming a restorative, anti-racist, trauma informed organisation.

Episode one: Palvinder Singh

Changing your culture to embed mental health and wellbeing at the heart of further education

Learning from others and exploring new ways of working requires authentic discussion, vulnerability and trust to talk openly. Through discursive interviews, this podcast series will showcase real stories to show how FE leaders have approached “reflection and resolution” within their own individual practice and wider organisational approaches, specifically addressing how to avoid burnout and be equipped to deal with stress. Polly Harrow, Assistant Principal Student Experience, Kirklees College and Chair of Executive Board, National Association for the Managers of Student Services (NAMSS) will interview a series of guests about how they’ve been on a journey of creating a culture change within their organisation. This programme is delivered by Association of Colleges, commissioned by the Education and Training Foundation on behalf of the Department for Education.

ETF leadership mental health and wellbeing podcast

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