WORCESTER Sixth Form College is excited to launch the ‘LINK’ scheme which aims to help students to meet new friends and form social links with their peers resulting in greater confidence and self-esteem.

LINK is available to all new and existing students and it is hoped it will be of interest particularly to those students who may have recently moved into the area, whose friendship groups are studying elsewhere or if they have been home-schooled.

Students are invited to express their interest to join LINK and will be asked to complete a short questionnaire which will assist with matching them with other students based on mutual interests, subject similarities and/or personal circumstances.

Staff and parents can also make referrals if they believe that LINK could be valuable.

The scheme is being led by Breege Seville who is a Pastoral Tutor at the College.

Breege said: “I am really pleased that we have been able to introduce LINK for the new academic year. We have already started to pair up students with compatible interests and I am confident that it will have a positive impact in terms of the students’ social, emotional and academic development during their time at College.”

Sarah Mills, College Counsellor, has been involved with developing LINK and the scheme has the full support of Julie Ferman, Senior Leader for Student Wellbeing and the College’s Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Julie said: “As a College we pride ourselves on the support we offer to all our students and LINK is a fantastic extension of this. Particularly after a lengthy period out of education due to lockdown, this initiative is a fantastic way to support young people and to build their confidence.”

To register their interest students can email link@wsfc.ac.uk, speak to one of their tutors or register via Impact on the College’s Portal.