At Weston College, we believe that great education starts with a supported and valued workforce. That’s why, on 5 January 2026, we hosted our first-ever Staff Wellbeing Day, welcoming more than 600 staff members to a day dedicated entirely to wellbeing, connection, and personal growth.

The event was designed to create a positive start to the new term, offering colleagues time and space to recharge after the festive period while reconnecting with one another. Staff took part in a diverse programme of short, engaging wellbeing activities, including mindfulness sessions, creative workshops, nature-inspired experiences, and interactive talks led by wellbeing professionals.

Guest Speakers Kick Off the Morning

The day began with inspiring talks from two expert guest speakers:

• Dr Claire Plumbly – Clinical Psychologist, Amazon bestseller author of Burnout: How to Manage Your Nervous System Before It Manages You, and founder of Plum Psychology, a boutique service supporting individuals to overcome trauma, burnout, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Claire shared insights and practical advice on managing the nervous system, helping staff better understand how to care for their mental wellbeing. 

   

• Dr Mandy Gardner – Representing VANS, she highlighted how staff can use the College’s allowance for voluntary days to make a positive impact in their local communities, emphasising the power of collective action to improve economic, health, and wellbeing outcomes. By offering flexible, bite-sized sessions, the day encouraged staff to explore new ideas and wellbeing practices in a relaxed and inclusive environment.

A Workplace That Cares

Wellbeing days like this are part of our wider commitment to creating a positive, inclusive, and supportive workplace. They help to:

• Foster collaboration and strong relationships across teams
• Support mental health and work–life balance
• Create a welcoming and energising return to work
• Build a culture where wellbeing is a shared priority.

Feedback from staff highlighted how valued and supported they felt, with many describing the day as uplifting and motivating.

We are proud to work with a range of local partners and wellbeing specialists who helped make the event such a success, and we are excited to build on this with further wellbeing initiatives throughout the year.

If you’re looking to join a college that genuinely invests in its people, Weston College is a place where wellbeing, connection, and professional fulfilment matter.

Apply here

Last term, our Level 2 Hairdressing students took part in a hair matting enrichment session, where they created artistic designs using specialist hair matting techniques to further develop their skills and gain a deeper understanding of the versatility of hair. 

To produce designs using hair matting techniques, hair is first cut into small pieces and carefully laid onto a mat. It is then sprayed with hairspray and dried in place, creating a fabric-like material made entirely from hair. This material can be moulded and cut into a variety of shapes to form a wide range of creative items. During the session, students produced handbags, extravagant headdresses and other artistic designs that showcased their newly developed skills. 

Participating in the hair matting workshop provided students with a valuable opportunity to enhance both their technical ability and professional confidence. The session encouraged creativity and experimentation beyond traditional salon styles, enabling students to refine their control, precision and understanding of texture, structure and effective product use. 

The activity also helped prepare students for future careers in hairdressing by developing their independence, adaptability and resilience throughout the creative process. These essential skills are vital in the hairdressing industry, where professionals must respond to diverse client needs and evolving industry trends. Engaging in non-standard activities such as this challenges learners’ patience, encourages innovation and supports them in standing out within the industry. 

Hannah Prior, Hair & Barbering Lecturer at Weston College, added, “Workshops like this are a great way for students to step away from traditional hairdressing techniques and gain a greater appreciation of just how versatile hairdressing can be. Whether students aspire to work in a salon or pursue a more artistic and creative pathway, this task prepares them for a range of career opportunities and broadens their future prospects.” 

A big well done to the Hairdressing students for their hard work and creativity in producing such innovative designs throughout this project. 

This hands-on workshop forms part of the Hairdressing & Barbering Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.  

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.