Part of the University of Bolton Group
A Guide to your Safe Return to Learning Your safety & wellbeing is our priority
Preparation for Your Safe Return to Learning Your safety and wellbeing is the College’s number one priority. The Government has stated that colleges can start to welcome back learners from September; we want to emphasise that stringent health and safety risk assessments have been completed and appropriate safety measures are in place. As we take the important steps of returning to College, this is another opportunity to make the right choices, do the right thing, and demonstrate our kindness to others during these challenging times.
This guide contains some of the key things to consider when you return to learning. We need your help to keep you and the rest of the College community safe.
Getting to College Safely • Where possible we would encourage you to walk or cycle to College. As outlined later in the guide, this is good for your physical and mental health. • If you have to use public transport to get to College, please follow the Department for Transport guidelines, stay alert and remember to social distance. • If you car share please follow government guidelines. The NCP car park will be available for those learners attending Deane Road campus if required. The NCP have increased their cleaning regime, particularly of the high touch areas.
Personal Hygiene at College • Please continue to wash your hands for 20 seconds on a regular basis; this remains extremely important as a measure to keep everyone safe. • Please use the hand sanitisers when entering the building, whilst you are in College, before and after eating, and when you leave. • When you enter a classroom or digital resource area, use the sanitising wipes available for high- touch items and equipment, such as keyboards, printers, whiteboards and reception tablets.
Face Coverings Please can you bring your own face coverings to college. If for any reason this is not possible there will be face coverings available as you enter the building. We would like you to wear face coverings at the following times: • As you enter the building • As you move around the building • As you move through communal areas • As you leave the building You do not have to wear your face covering in classrooms unless you wish to or if it’s part of your course personal protective equipment.
Keeping safe at College These rules will help to keep you, and other learners and staff, safe. We therefore ask that you follow these rules at all times, whilst remembering to adhere to social distancing guidelines: • Wear your College ID badge at all times. If you do not wear your ID you may be asked to leave the campus. • Wear face coverings as per previous guidelines. • Hand sanitiser is available at key points throughout College - please use sanitiser when entering and exiting the building, moving between locations in College, and before and after eating. • Only touch things in the building when absolutely necessary, helping to support the work of our Estates staff. • There will be an increased cleaning regime in College, particularly with touch points such as handles and hand rails – please give cleaning staff space to do this, being mindful of social distancing guidelines.
Maintain social distancing where possible as you move through the College. • One way systems for movement around the building will be in place where possible. • Specified staircases for movement between floors, with a directional flow. • Lifts used only by 2 people.
If you do not follow the rules you will be asked to go home and may be subject to disciplinary action. The safety of all our students and staff is paramount and we all play a part in keeping safe.
Coronavirus (Covid-19) symptoms & advice
High temperature
Continuous cough
Loss of senses
The symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are usually mild, but some people can become very unwell. Most people with coronavirus have at least one of these symptoms: • High temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature). • A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual). • Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste differently to normal. Staying at home if you have symptoms (self-isolation) If you have symptoms you must arrange for a PCR test and stay at home until you get your test results. Do not attend College. This is called self-isolation. If you do not have symptoms, but someone in your household has symptoms, you may not need to self-isolate if you are in one of the following groups: • Fully vaccinated. • Under the age of 18 years and 6 months. • Taking part in an approved vaccine trial. • Unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons. Read more about when to self-isolate and what to do: Urgent advice: Use the 111 online coronavirus service if you have any of the below: • High temperature. • New, continuous cough. • Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. 111 will tell you what to do and help you to get a test if you need one.
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5 Steps to Mental Wellbeing Evidence suggests there are 5 steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive and enable you to get the most out of life.
Connect with other people
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Good relationships are important for your mental wellbeing. They can: • Help you to build a sense of belonging and self-worth. • Give you an opportunity to share positive experiences. • Provide emotional support and allow you to support others.
There are lots of things you could try to help build stronger and closer relationships: • If possible, take time each day to be with your family, for example, try arranging a fixed time to eat dinner together. • Arrange to meet outdoors with a friend you haven’t seen in a while, but remember to socially distance. • Try switching off the TV to talk or play a game with your children, friends or family. • Have a virtual lunch with a colleague online. • Visit a friend or family member who needs support or company but remember, stay outdoors and socially distance. • Volunteer for a local organisation – many groups are doing amazing work during the coronavirus outbreak. Find out how to volunteer on the GOV.UK website.
Be physically active
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Being active is not only great for your physical health and fitness; evidence also shows it can improve your mental wellbeing by: • Raising your self-esteem. • Helping you to set goals or challenges and achieve them. • Causing chemical changes in your brain which can help to positively change your mood. • Finding out more about getting active.
Do • Find free activities to help you get fit. • If you have a disability or long-term health condition, find out about getting active with a disability. • Start running with couch to 5k podcasts. • Find out how to start swimming, cycling or dancing. • Find out about getting started with exercise.
Learn new skills
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Research shows that learning new skills can also improve your mental wellbeing by: • Boosting self-confidence and raising self-esteem. • Helping you to build a sense of purpose. • Helping you to connect with others.
Even if you feel like you do not have enough time, or you may not need to learn new things, there are lots of different ways to bring learning into your life. Some of the things you could try include: • • • •
Try learning to cook something new. Find out about healthy eating and cooking tips. Try switching off the TV to talk or play a game with your children, friends or family. Try taking on a new responsibility at work, such as mentoring a junior staff member or improving your presentation skills. • Work on a DIY project, such as fixing a broken bike, garden gate or something bigger. There are lots of free video tutorials online. • Consider signing up for a course at College. You could try learning a new language or a practical skill such as plumbing. • Try new hobbies that challenge you, such as writing a blog, taking up a new sport or learning to paint.
Give to others
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Research suggests that acts of giving and kindness can help improve your mental wellbeing by: • Creating positive feelings and a sense of reward. • Giving you a feeling of purpose and self-worth. • Helping you connect with other people.
It could be small acts of kindness towards other people, or larger ones like volunteering in your local community. Some examples of the things you could try include: • • • • •
Saying thank you to someone for something they have done for you. Asking friends, family or colleagues how they are and really listening to their answer. Spending time with friends or relatives who need support or company. Offering to help someone you know with DIY or a work project. Volunteering in your community, such as helping at a school, hospital or care home.
Pay attention to the present moment (mindfulness)
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Paying more attention to the present moment can improve your mental wellbeing. This includes your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you. Some people call this awareness “mindfulness”. Mindfulness can help you enjoy life more and understand yourself better. It can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges. Read more about mindfulness, including steps you can take to be more mindful in your everyday life. Information: The mental health charity Mind also offer information about the 5 ways to wellbeing. click here
Part of the University of bolton Group
The College is working hard to ensure you are returning to a safe, secure learning environment. We hope that this guide has provided some reassurance that you are in safe hands. Everyone has an important part to play by staying alert, respecting social distancing measures, ensuring personal hygiene and following guidelines and information. The College continues to monitor government guidance relating to the Covid-19 pandemic and will update information and guidance accordingly. If you have any questions please contact: info@boltoncc.ac.uk For the mental health team please contact: mental.health@boltoncc.ac.uk For safeguarding issues please contact: safeguarding@boltoncc.ac.uk If you have any concerns, or if you feel worried or anxious at any time, talk to your tutor or another member of staff on campus.