Students across the city's college started their days this week with free porridge and got the chance to get involved in fitness programmes, fun competitions and health screening as part of the annual Health and Wellbeing Week organised by the student welfare team.

The week, aimed at focussing attention on healthy diets, active lifestyles and sexual health was part of a college wide programme throughout the year ensuring students and staff understand the healthy alternatives and support available.

“This is one of many themed weeks we have at the college,” said Nick Bridge, health and wellbeing manager at the college, “Throughout the week there were a range of activities and events designed to get students involved, many of them being led by students and teacher specialists. Hair and Beauty students offered complimentary treatments throughout the week, Hospitality and Catering students got the chance to show off their skills with very popular free smoothies, and Sport students offered a range of health and fitness screenings, designed to alert students and staff to how they could improve their health. We're not just concentrating on the traditional healthy subjects such as diet and smoking but are encouraging students to think about their mental health and wider lifestyle choices so we had sessions on body combat, mixed martial arts and yoga.”

Students also got the chance to talk to the experts from the community with sessions from NHS Blood and Transplant unit, DCC Environmental health to advise on safe piercing and tattooing and staff from the Balloons organisation offering bereavement advice.

Starting with free porridge, yoghurt and fruit from the student cafes, the students were given loyalty cards designed to encourage them to take part in the wide range of healthy activities.

A Level student Hugo Hannaford, 17, from Holsworthy said, “The best thing about this week is getting free porridge for breakfast every morning! It has been a really fun week and it has got the message across without being too serious, which is good”.

And it wasn't just the teenagers and adult learners who got the 'get healthy' treatment in the week since the college's nursery also joined in with their own version of special exercise sessions plus healthy fruits quiz.

“We pride ourselves on the support we give students” said Nick, “We were awarded Healthy College status last year and won an award for our Young People Friendly services by the NHS this term and this dedicated week for promoting health and well-being is just one of the ways we work to ensure students know about choices and the support on offer.”