Our Student Welfare team seeks to offer support to Cliff College’s diverse student body in whatever way is needed. They provide a listening ear and a confidential space to talk about whatever is on your mind.
Support in College
Ali Mackenzie is the Welfare Team Manager; her background as a counsellor, chaplain and spiritual director enables her to signpost for specific needs as well as accompany students, drawing on a range of tools and resources. Ali is usually available between Mondays and Thursdays.
Carole Marsden, our Community Warden, has previously worked as a pastoral minister, mentor and chaplain and is available for pastoral and practical support as needed. Carole lives on campus with her family and works flexible hours, shaped by community life.
Both can be approached in person, via direct email or by contacting welfare@cliffcollege.ac.uk. Ali and Carole are there to support all Cliff College students, whether studying online or on campus.
Safeguarding
Cliff College understands safeguarding as protecting the health and wellbeing of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This requires implementing the necessary measures to prevent harm to children, young people and vulnerable adults who are most at risk of abuse and harm.
Our commitment:
- We will respond without delay to every complaint made which suggests that an adult, child or young person may have been harmed, cooperating with the police and local authority in any investigation.
- We will seek to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care.
- We will seek to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust. In all these principles, we will follow legislation, guidance and recognised good practice.
Wellbeing
As a College we provide access to TogetherAll, an online mental health and well-being resource, which is available to all our students and staff. It is available around the clock and offers a space to connect with others who may be struggling with similar issues. There is also a wide range of articles and courses available on all sorts of issues, from managing your sleep to dealing with anger or anxiety. It is a really great resource.
Cliff College's welfare team also facilitate more focused work on wellbeing related issues, enabling students to grow in understanding and insight in this area. Each semester there will be a series of weekly sessions looking at how to flourish. We will cover a range of topics from self-care, managing money and sleep hygiene, to managing boundaries, handling conflict, and improving communication skills. We will also look at building self-esteem and self-confidence as we explore what our sense of gifting and vocation might be. Together we will journey into a deeper understanding of how we can take good care of ourselves and flourish in the places God has planted us.
It is our hope that by spending time learning and engaging with these topics you will improve your sense of well-being and resilience.