Downpatrick SERC Students’ Union Opens Wellbeing Room
South Eastern Regional College (SERC) Students’ Union has opened a Wellbeing Room for students at the College’s Downpatrick Campus.
The Wellbeing Room, made possible with £5000 funding from East Down Education Partnership Limited (EDEP), offers a quiet space with a soothing atmosphere, providing students with somewhere to recharge and refocus.
It also offers opportunities for students to meet, socialise and take part in activities that will continually enrich their experience at SERC.
The support from EDEP has enabled provision of virtual reality mindfulness activities, weighted blankets, and other therapeutic interventions that will help students dedicate time to their own self-care and restore attention prior to their return to learning.
Alison McDonnell, Director of EDEP said: “On behalf of EDEP, we would like to thank the Student Engagement Team for leading this fantastic initiative and giving us the opportunity to facilitate its implementation.
“We hope that the Wellbeing Room will provide that essential refuge where students can begin to feel calm and relaxed with the space to connect with their peers and we wish you every success with this new resource.”
Catherine Shipman, SERC’s Head of Engagement and Development, said: “Our student Wellbeing Room at our Downpatrick Campus has provided a much-needed quiet space for students to self-manage their mental health and wellbeing.
“We are very grateful to EDEP for providing the funding to bring this project to life. This space has had a real, positive impact on the lives of our students, helping them to access support, connect with their peers and improve their health and wellbeing.”
Heather McKee, Director of Strategic Planning, Quality and Support at SERC said: “At SERC, we pride ourselves in providing our students with excellent pastoral care services.
Also we provide a caring and supportive ethos which creates a safe environment for all students to succeed and flourish as they learn.
“Today, more than ever, student welfare support is vital as students navigate social and emotional challenges.
“These challenges may have resulted from the events of recent times. We are therefore delighted that this space will help by offering the students facilities needed to help them with their self-care.
 Students’ Union has opened a Wellbeing Room for students at the College’s Downpatrick Campus.){kind=link}