Surrey’s Feel Good Week: Bringing support, connection and community

As part of Surrey’s Feel Good Week, a week dedicated to prioritsing your health, we hosted our very first Connect Event which celebrated the theme of Connection. ‘Connect’ is one of Surrey’s ‘Time for Kids’ principles, which focuses on building human connection with children and vulnerable people. The principle emphasises an open approach to children, filled with patience, passion and promotes the importance of a child-first mindset. To celebrate this principle, the college brought together representatives from an array of different services — such as the Youth Hub, Citizens Advice, Mindworks, the Samaritans, and Surrey Police, among others — into the main hall, where students gathered to visit the various stands, learn about the support available and engage with the representatives. By participating, students discovered all the resources available to support their mental health, personal safety and overall well-being. 

Elmbridge and Runnymede Youth Hub provided support to our 16-24 year olds to find secure employment, mentorships and local opportunities. Citizen’s advice provided helpful information on debt, benefits and housing information for local students. Mindworks, the emotional wellbeing and mental health service, provided information about their helpline and how to access their support. Students were also able to engage with the Samaritans, who offered guidance on emotional resilience and active listening, while Surrey Police shared practical advice on personal safety and community engagement. The event encouraged curiosity and compassion, with students taking the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, and connect with local support networks in a welcoming environment.

The Connect event served as a reminder of the power of community collaboration and the importance of reaching out — both for support and to support others. This event not only strengthened our community connections but also reinforced the college’s ongoing commitment to student support and inclusion.