A new Wellbeing Support Officer has just started at Forth Valley College as part of the Student Services Department.
Val Cannon from Edinburgh (pictured seated), started in her new role on Monday 27 March and has already fitted in well to her new surroundings.
Coming from a background of mental health nursing and of being an artist, Val is looking forward to bringing a caring, creative and fun approach to Wellbeing at FVC and is looking forward to working with the college’s student body.
The new post was created as part of a wider project entitled ‘Wellbeing at Forth Valley College’ which successfully secured funding from the Integrated Care Fund – run jointly by Falkirk Council and NHS Forth Valley. Pauline Barnaby FVC’s Development and Fundraising Manager, worked alongside staff from Student Services and supported them throughout the fundraising process.
To help ease her into her role over the last three weeks Information Assistant Stacey MacKay has been operating as Interim Wellbeing Support Officer and will help Val settle in for the next three weeks doing this job.
Valerie, said:
“I am enjoying it so far and everyone has been very welcoming. I am glad to be here. It really feels that people have thought about what my role will be and not just waiting till I arrive. It has all been very efficient and Stacey and the team have been a huge help to me.
“It is really important for students to be happy and enjoy life at college and that is what I want to help them to do. I would like the Wellbeing Service to be visible and accessible to all. All students are welcome to say ‘hello’ and to find out more about wellbeing and emotional supports. I am going to be promoting health and wellbeing throughout the college working together with my colleagues in the team, the Student Association, the Student Council, academic and departmental staff and I will be building working partnerships with external resources in the community. I am looking forward to this new challenge and helping to shape this new role within the fabulous existing Student Services team.”
Stacey MacKay, Interim Wellbeing Support Officer added:
“I have really enjoyed laying the groundwork for the role including establishing internal and external links, creating a referral system and related documents, obtaining student feedback through FVSA events, creating promo information and promoting the new service. This has ensured the basic work has been done for Val coming in to post and I am delighted to be assisting her for the first few weeks she is at FVC. I am very proud to be part of establishing the service which I’m sure Val will make an FVC student support legacy!”
Zak Stark, Student Services Manager, said:
“We are delighted to have Valerie in post. Valerie will complement and enhance the existing Learner Advisory and Student Counselling services. Although the post is based within Student Services Valerie will work across college departments including the Equalities and Core and Essential Skills Teams.”
Pauline Barnaby, Development and Fundraising Manager, said:
“Through securing funding from the Integrated Care Fund we are now able to develop new services benefitting our students and staff whilst also contributing to the wider integrated care agenda. It is the best part of this role as it is great to see the difference fundraising can make and the added value it can bring.”