Rotherham College Wellbeing Event
This week Healthwatch Rotherham had the exciting opportunity to be involved in ‘Health and Wellbeing Week 2026’ at Rotherham College.
Rotherham College hosts a number of events from a silent disco to group reiki, the college has certainly shown that wellbeing is no ‘one size fits all’ and that looking after yourself and your mental health may be practiced in many unique and innovative ways.
Our Healthwatch Community Engagement Officer, Holly and Research and Campaigns Officer, Danielle joined the college on Thursday as part of Wellbeing Week. At the event, many different Rotherham based organisations were present to collaborate on providing diverse and comprehensive support for local young people. We were joined by many enthusiastic students of the College who engaged thoroughly with the resources provided throughout the day. The aims of the day and Wellbeing Week as a whole were to allow students to take a step back from both the demands of a busy academic schedule and the stresses of daily life to have a chance to focus on their health and wellbeing, now and in the future.
Local providers involved
Healthwatch- ‘Your local health and social care champion’
Website: https://healthwatchrotherham.org.uk/what-we-do
Healthwatch aims to support people of all ages and backgrounds in the Rotherham area who aren't always listened to by health and social care services.
Momentous- ‘Delivering a unique football and education pathway’
Website: https://www.rotherham.ac.uk/momentous-football-academy/
In partnership with Rotherham College, Momentous aims to bring sports and education together. Through a varied range of weekly sessions designed to nurture and develop young players whilst improving football skills, Momentous allows it’s students to excel.
Weston Park- ‘Here to face cancer with you’
Website: https://www.westonpark.org.uk/about-us
Weston Park’s services include advice, therapies and support for you and the people close to you, helping everyone to live with and beyond cancer.
Roundabout- ‘Providing support and accommodation services for young people’
Website:https://www.roundabouthomeless.org/who-we-are/emergency-accomodation/rotherham-homelessness-service/
Commissioned by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, Roundabout provide vital support and accommodation services for young people aged 16-25 who are experiencing homelessness or who are vulnerably housed.
MESMAC- ‘One of the oldest and largest sexual health organisations in the country’
Website: https://www.mesmac.co.uk/about-us/who-we-are
Yorkshire MESMAC is one of the oldest and largest sexual health organisations in the country. MESMAC offers sexual health and mental health services to various communities across Yorkshire.
Samaritans- ‘Preventing suicide through the power of human connection’
Website: https://www.samaritans.org/branches/rotherham/?gad_source
Samaritan’s team of over 50 volunteers helps to provide emotional non-judgemental support to people experiencing feelings of distress and despair.
Talking therapies- ‘Here to support you manage your mental health and wellbeing’
Website: https://www.rdash.nhs.uk/services/nhs-talking-therapies/
Talking Therapies provide treatment to adults who are struggling with symptoms of common mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and stress.
Hopian- ‘We support adults, young people and children affected by domestic abuse and Child Sexual Exploitation’
Website: https://hopian.org.uk/
Hopian provides a range of services to all genders, specifically supporting people who have experienced domestic abuse and Child Sexual Exploitation.
Further support
Attending the Wellbeing event was a great opportunity for our Healthwatch team to network, hear from the community and gain lots of inspiration on future projects from many like-minded organisations. Hearing from the community allows us to understand the lived experiences of the people we serve, enabling us to best inform our future initiatives and projects in 2026.
We would also like to thank the Rotherham College team for the invitation and look forward to continuing to work with them, and attend any future events they deliver.
For more support regarding mental health and wellbeing for students at Rotherham College, you can visit any of the following webpages for information on how to access specialised services available to you.
- https://www.rotherham.ac.uk/information/student-support/health-wellbeing/
- https://www.rotherham.ac.uk/about/student-union/
- https://www.rotherham.ac.uk/information/student-support/safeguarding/
Next steps
Attending the Wellbeing event was a great opportunity for our Healthwatch team to network, hear from the community and gain lots of inspiration on future projects from many likeminded organisations. Hearing from the community allows us to understand the lived experiences of the people we serve, enabling us to best inform our future initiatives and projects in 2026!
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Rotherham College team for the invitation and for hosting such a valuable and engaging event. We look forward to continuing to attend and support the meaningful events they deliver in the future.
