Wellbeing and Self Belief: building the confidence to return to education or training
Birkbeck has the expertise to respond to requests and opportunities to provide information, advice and guidance (IAG) within the community. Our collaboration with the Recovery College showcases this ability to design interventions which address common concerns and anxieties around returning to education for marginalised learners.
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Laura Bradnam
Senior Community Engagement Officer
A history of supporting learners
Birkbeck has over 200 years of experience in supporting adult learners and those from non-traditional education backgrounds. This facilitated the collaboration with the Recovery College who were seeking a reputable and supportive next-steps education provider to enable participants to continue their learning journey. Using our strengths, and the Recovery College’s expertise in wellbeing, self-development, and resilience and recovery techniques the workshop aims to address common concerns and anxieties on returning to education and enhance self-belief.
Understanding and sharing challenges
As partners, we recognise the barriers many in this audience face when considering education. Participants have been empowered by a qualified therapist who shared their lived experience in dealing with dyslexia, studying in English as a second language, and needing to convert their qualifications from their home country – this resonates with their own challenges and allows them to feel inspired. Birkbeck’s accessible and inclusive materials and activities leveraged within the session equally advise participants on the possible routes forward.
Through our commitment and shared values, a supportive environment was created to allow participants to safely explore the options that lay ahead of them. One participant, who attended the pilot session and went on to apply to Birkbeck, thanked the workshop for the ‘life changing’ impact it had, reporting ‘now, I am active on my own life’s path and have new tools and a new outlook, which has literally changed my experience’.
Work with us
To explore collaborative initiatives like this, please get in touch with Birkbeck's Innovation Unit.