HUNDREDS of Coleg Llandrillo students took the chance to increase their levels of physical and mental wellbeing during the college’s recent Health and Wellbeing Week initiative.

The objective was to address a variety of health and wellbeing issues which students face while at college: from driving safely, through alcohol awareness to mental health issues. The college is keen to improve and maintain the health of all students and staff and to provide a healthy and stress free environment.

During the week, students took part in a host of activities, including trying different sports and attending a wide range of workshops and seminars.

External organisations that had a presence during the week included: Conwy, Gwynedd and Denbighshire councils’ Road Safety departments; North Wales Police, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Welsh Ambulance Service, Mind Môn a Gwynedd; Mind Aberconwy and Public Health Wales.

One popular initiative involved more than 500 students attending Deadly Impacts presentations across several campuses. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service together with its road safety partners, Taith, North Wales Police, Welsh Ambulance Service Trust and Bikesafe, were involved in educating young drivers and pre-drivers (between 16-24) about the consequences of poor or inappropriate driving.

The college’s sports department provided students and staff with taster sessions in a variety of activities, while college libraries provided students with information and numerous health-related resources.

The student welfare team ran a daily confidential drop in service for students, where learners could chat about anything which may be concerning them, while the student union handed out resources on keeping safe, alcohol awareness and where to find support if needed.

Sarah Wynn, Coleg Llandrillo’s student enrichment officer, said: “A number of factors are known to influence the health of individuals, including background, lifestyle, as well as economic and social conditions. We were delighted to see students take up the challenge, immersing themselves in a wide range of health enhancing activities.”