Cornwall College St Austell
Your Road to Wellbeing
Courses to support mental health and wellbeing
A path to recoveryOur coursesMeet the TeamEnquiriesSummer Exhibition
Improve your wellbeing and mental health by taking part in a wide range of relaxed and inspiring courses, which will enable you to build your self-confidence, socialise and make friends.
Whether you’re looking for a new beginning, an opportunity for self-expression or a positive distraction from worries and anxiety, we have a course for you.
Whatever you’re interested in, our courses are great mood-boosters, and will help you develop your creative, practical and communications skills.
We offer fun short courses, at our campuses and throughout the local community and at NHS Resource Centres and Longreach Hospital, in the following:
On this course you will learn a variety of mixed media, methods and processes to produce creative art work by practicing and developing your skills through observation and experimental techniques. Projects cover in-depth painting, drawing, printmaking and mixed media.
On this course you will be able to experiment with painting, wet-felting, needle-felting, mixed media, eco-dyeing, sketching with charcoal and pastels, and so much more.
This course is run at CROP Gardens, Plymouth, a horticultural site managed by Livewell and The Coach House Resource Centre, Liskeard. This is an accredited course focusing upon the fundamental practical skills in horticulture, you will be able to learn skills such as planting out, preparing ground, pruning, using a mower, maintaining turf or constructing a path. There are various plots and poly-tunnels and you will have the opportunity to plant, propagate and grow a variety of plants and produce.
Our gardening courses are run at various houses or centres depending on the location. On these courses you will develop your gardening skills whilst working as part of the team to maintain and enhance the grounds. Each location has different facilities from poly-tunnels, to green houses.
On this course you will have a gentle introduction to using IT in everyday settings. How to ensure safety and security of information when setting up and using emails, browsing the web, using cloud storage to secure your information. You can start with the absolute basics or at a stage that suits you. With a brief look at ‘AI’ to enable simple use, and to find out what to avoid.
The course will cover: Setting up and using a free online account, generating, and using an email address, safe practices for web browsing and cloud storage, choosing and using a password, use of word processing, spreadsheets and other software that you might like to use in the future.
The tutor will give you guidance to achieve your goals which you can adapt to make your own creations. You will develop your ideas by considering design, form and function.
Information to follow
On this course you will learn how to improve the composition of your photographs, and how to use the different camera settings to give more creative control. All sessions aim to encourage you to look for opportunities to create interesting images, and therefore give a specific focus to thinking and being in the moment. Taking time out from past worries or future anxieties. (loan cameras available or bring your own)
The course will cover: ISO Settings, Using Aperture and Shutter Speed for creative control, Understanding and Using RAW files, Perspective effects from focal lengths, lighting home portraits, Techniques for improving Landscapes, Macro Photography, and the use of a range of software that can improve your images.
Information to follow
All courses are designed to aid development of your own personal, social, vocational and employability skills. You will start at a stage appropriate to your personal situation and can progress at a pace that suits your own recovery, supporting you to go on and lead a fulfilling healthy life and improve your wellbeing.
FAQS
How long are the courses?
Our courses run one day per week, over 10 to 13 weeks per term. If you miss the start of the course don’t worry, you can join the courses at any time.
How much do they cost?
If you are aged 19 or over, you may be eligible to take the course for free, depending on your circumstances. Any applicable fees will be clearly listed in the ‘Course Fees’ section on the specific course page.
Who are the courses for?
Our courses are for anyone aged 19 plus who is experiencing or who is recovering
from mental ill health.
Our courses are also available through referral from the NHS, social prescribers
and other external agencies.
Our partnership
We work in partnership with the NHS Foundation Trust, to offer a wide range
of courses which aim to support recovery from mental ill health through
engagement with learning from the early stages of recovery through to
preparation for employment.
Using Learning as a Path to Recovery
Book a Wellbeing Course
Creative Wellbeing Courses
Gardening Wellbeing Courses
Meet the Team
Jamie Coates
Curriculum Area Manager Sports & MAPs, & Community Health
Jamie Coates is a mental health and wellbeing professional with considerable experience in senior-level leadership and management, education and educational pastoral support. He is currently a Curriculum Area Manager at Duchy College Stoke Climsland, where he leads a team of 12 professionals delivering courses for learners of 16 years and above. Previously he was the manager of Recovery College Cornwall where he led a team of 10 mental health professionals in helping those with long and short-term mental health issues into employment or education. The first of its kind in the county, Coates was promoted to the Recovery College Cornwall manager position following success in his previous role as Mental Health Keyworker for Pentreath, the Newquay-based award-winning mental health organisation. Previous to working in the mental health sector, Coates spent twenty years in secondary education, overseeing the education and wellbeing of over 20 000 pupils. While at Callington Community College in Cornwall Coates was promoted from Head of PE to Middle Manager. Born and educated in Plymouth, Coates completed his B Ed (Hons) in Physical Education at Marjon University.
Tina Fox
Group Development Lead for Community Health
Tina has worked at Cornwall College since 2006, prior to this she worked in primary education, civil engineering and hospitality. Whilst at the college, Tina has worked with people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities including Pre-16’,s NEETS, Young Mums, Special Parenting, SPLD, A Level and GCSE.
As Group Development Lead Tina develops and co-ordinates the provision across the county by liaising with external agencies and the NHS to determine what provision is needed to suit the needs of the communities in Cornwall.
Qualifications
- NCFE Level 2 Information, Advice and Guidance, Connect 5, Making Every Contact Count,
- Breaking the Rules (MHFE), Mental Health First Aid, NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Awareness of Mental Health Problems, Alcohol Identification and Information, ASIST Suicide Prevention Training, Mental Health Awareness,
- BA (Hons) Education and Training.
- Level 5 Diploma in Teaching English in the Lifelong Learning Sector
- Level 5 Diploma in Teaching mathematics in the Lifelong Learning Sector
- Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector/ Cert Ed
- TEFL (120 hours plus Business Language).
- Speech and Language certificate ( run by SALT’s and Ed Psych. – accredited by Warwick University
- Foundation Degree (teaching assistant). Modules studied:
- Behaviour Management, Emotional Literacy, Numeracy, Communication and Language(Literacy), Contextual Module, Curriculum Issues, Supporting teaching and Learning, Equal Opportunities, ICT, Complex SEN, Children Under Stress, Autism.
- Autism support certificate
Pamela Atkin
Associate Tutor – Community Health
Awaiting information
Claire Banks
Associate Lecturer
Drawing and painting has been a lifelong passion for me. Although I have been painting for many years, I completed my BA Hons degree in painting & drawing at Plymouth university in 2021. I decided to take the unconventional route and do my degree after my children had grown up. Being a mature student was great as I was much keener to do the work than I would have been at 18! I continue to practice as often as I can. Creativity is hugely important to me as I believe it is fundamental to my wellbeing and I’m happy to be able to share this with others.
Charlie Barriball
Community Health Tutor
Coming from a farming background I have a long heritage with the Cornish countryside. My love for horticulture developed during my travels in New Zealand, working on an orchard for nine months. Later my horticultural work base studies led me to Heaven scent, where I was able to appreciate biodiversity and sustainable horticulture.
My accolade includes the John Dyer shield alongside a silver gilt RHS for designing the exhibit “a road less travelled”, alongside my Heaven scent team at the RCS. I continue to work alongside the Horticultural industry, advising landscape designs, propagating flora locale and engaging in plant surveys.
I have been teaching for over twenty years and have a good understanding of mental health. I understand the benefits of enjoying the outdoors, physical activity and the importance of sharing life’s challenges within a team setting, learning new skills, having fun and meeting your own expectations, and fulfilling your dreams.
Qualifications
Foundation degree in Education(incorporating Diploma in teaching in the lifelong sector).
NCFE level 3 in the preparation for business.
NVQ2 work base nursery horticulture.
Natalie Beresford-Power
Associate Lecturer
Born and raised in Cornwall and from a family or Artists – art and creative projects have been a part Natalies life in many forms. With a classic education in Art and Design her creativity took her down the road of specialising in Acrylic seascapes and landscapes having exhibited work in South East Cornwall, but with many more technical skills and creative interests. “I love teaching and sharing classic techniques to gain knowledge and experience, and then building on this to explore new creative activities as a group. Even as a Tutor, I am always open to learning new techniques and creative crafts!”
Dale Loynes
Associate Lecturer
Photography and film making has brought Dale to Cornwall after living in the urban jungle which is Manchester.
Some of his favourite years were attended the Loreto college in Manchester studying photography and spending many a session in the dark room.
Enchanted by technicalities and the development of photography through the ages, Loynes had a passion for wet plate collodion photography. Whilst completing his degree at Manchester Metropolitan University in photography he began working on projects using the environment and cultural and societal phenomena around the city of Manchester and employing this into his work.
Dale has always had a passion for teaching and learning and spent a summer in Minnesota as the director of photography at an under 17s camp. Where he would teach photography and get creative with the resources that were available, such as building a camera out of a tin and building a dark room using bin bags and a staple gun.
After freelancing and working for companies such as Jaguar Land Rover and The Lost Gardens of Heligan as their on-site photographer, Dale wanted to have more freedom in the craft and began his business, Sea Glass Media in 2023.
Recognising how important having a focus is, such as photography and the impact this can have on wellbeing, Dale encourages students at his Cornwall College photography classes to direct their creativity to the art of photography.
Martin Pallett
Community Health Tutor
Following a thirty year Senior Management career in the NHS and Charity sector, Martin decided to train to be a teacher. He is an experienced Horticulturalist who has developed his own St Austell garden and also sells plants propagated from his garden. He visits lots of other gardens, reads and studies widely and brings his strong enthusiasm and passion for Horticulture to the courses he runs. He believes that gardening and being outside with others can be hugely beneficial for our physical and mental health and that gardening should be accessible to everyone whatever their abilities, background or age.
Ruby Stead
Associate Lecturer
Despite having a traditional education in Art and Design, and Illustration, I am interested in many different artistic mediums. After moving to a communal farm, in Cornwall, my love for nature took over my art practice and I began exploring different approaches to art making, revolving around plants and other natural forms. I love bringing a range art technique’s to people of all skill levels, choosing to prioritise playful art making over strict academic practice, as I believe art, should first and foremost, be fun and explorative!
I grew up with a younger brother who has autism, and watched him struggle in a world that was not accommodating to him, so I am very pleased to now be a part of a team who are bringing a safe space to people from all walks of life.
Lisa Stewart
Community Health Tutor
Lisa is a tutor & arts facilitator and has worked at Cornwall College since 2011. She has gained experience of working with adult learners with a variety of additional needs, challenging behavior’s and mental health issues. These highly innovative Wellbeing Art and Ceramic courses are run on and off site including Mental health outreach centers and acute wards in hospital settings for adults with enduring and often severe mental health issues.
Her aim is to deliver ideas that not only stretch and challenge but most importantly encourage learners to explore and develop their own unique creativity. This wealth of hands-on experience has enabled her to develop not only skills but also methodologies to target course content to the multifaceted needs of students. The Wellbeing courses seek to address not only emotional wellbeing but are tailored to varying academic abilities and the often complex physical and mental health issues faced by learners.
Qualifications
- LOCF Sculpture Course. Chelsea and Kensington College London.
- BTEC -3D mixed media Chelsea and Kensington College London.
- City and Guilds Ceramics – Chelsea and Kensington College London
- BA Honours in Ceramics. Falmouth College of Art. Cornwall.
- Post Graduate Certificate in Education- University of Plymouth.
- Mental Health Awareness Course – Cornwall College Camborne
- Suicide Prevent training.
Send Us a Message
For more information please contact Tina Fox on 01209 617821 extn: 3821, email communityhealth@cornwall.ac.uk
or complete the enquiry form below.
Our Summer Exhibition
Some of the fantastic artwork and ceramics created by our students
this year and shown at our annual Summer Exhibition