We are delighted to announce that Derwen College has won the Association of Colleges Beacon Award in the NOCN Group Award for Mental Health and Wellbeing category for our innovative Sleep Project, part of our Student Wellbeing Strategy.
The award was presented today at the House of Commons, during College Week, and we are incredibly proud of everyone involved.
The Sleep Project began with our Occupational Therapy team and quickly developed into a collaborative college-wide initiative. What started as a focus on the role of sleep in learning, wellbeing and independence soon grew into a project that brought together care and therapies, Independent Living Skills, PSHE, IT and assistive technology, as well as students and their families. This collective effort has helped to make healthy sleep a priority for our learners in a way that is practical, engaging and accessible.
Positive changes to sleep
The work has involved a blend of awareness raising and hands on support, alongside positive changes to the environment. This has included workshops, campaigns and simple guidance on routines, nutrition, movement and reducing screentime. We have also introduced blackout blinds, gentler lighting and tailored support for students who benefit from a more personalised approach. These steps have helped students understand their sleep habits, gain confidence and develop routines that support their learning and daily life.
Winning the NOCN Group Award for Mental Health and Wellbeing highlights the teamwork behind the project and the positive impact it is having across the college. We are grateful to everyone who contributed, supported the application or met with judges to share their experiences. A special thank you goes to former Director of Care and Independence Karen George, Occupational Therapist Lynsey Coyle and Assistant OT Lilliee Dulson, who represented Derwen College at the ceremony. They will be recording a podcast on 10 March to share more about the project, the challenges and the learning that has come from it.
Huge congratulations
David Hughes, Chief Executive, Association of Colleges, said: “Every year I am blown away by the standard of the Beacon Award entries. They are tribute to the scale of innovation and expertise in further education colleges across the UK, and the impact they have in their regions. This year, it was harder than ever to decide on just one winner per category.
“I want to say a huge congratulations to everyone who met the Beacon standard, and of course, to our winners. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to the communities you serve, and I hope you enjoy the celebrations, you should be proud of the work you do and the impact you make on people’s lives.”
A huge congratulations to everyone involved. This recognition reflects the dedication, creativity and care shown across our college community and the difference it makes for our students every day.