Riverside College Celebrates Launch of the Centre of Excellence for Counselling

On Thursday, 28th November 2024, Riverside College proudly launched its Centre of Excellence for Counselling, in recognition of the outstanding success of the College’s counselling courses over the past 20 years.

Riverside College has over 300 students enrolled on a variety of courses, from Level 2 introductory courses, through to degree level in both adult and children & young people’s counselling, in partnership with the University of Staffordshire.

The event was a resounding success, drawing distinguished guests. These included the Deputy Mayor of Halton and Consort, Councillors Martha and Peter Lloyd Jones, Director of Children’s Services at Halton Borough Council, Zoe Fearon, Lead Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Tom McInerney, industry professionals and students, all eager to witness the unveiling of this vital new resource for aspiring counsellors.

The counselling department at Riverside College has celebrated a consistent track record of exceptional high pass rates and the successful transition of graduates into the world of work. Last academic year, 97% of students achieved high grades in their Honours Degrees, with 61% earning First Class degrees and 71% achieving Distinctions at Foundation Degree level.

The college has worked closely with local organisations and employers to ensure that the curriculum meets local and regional skills needs, including Barnardo’s, Marie Curie, Nightstop, NHS Macmillan Delamere Centre, Halton Cancer Support, Place2Be, and The Grange Academy.

Riverside College Principal, Mary Murphy, began the event with a heartfelt welcome, speaking about the College’s commitment to providing high-quality training and education in the field of counselling. She finished with, “Thank you goes to the Counselling Team, our support staff, and our students who have provided immense support. They will continue to dedicate their time to nurture the talents of adult students to achieve their dreams and fulfil their potential.”

The event featured an inspiring line-up of guest speakers, each offering a unique perspective on the value of counselling. Nathaniel Hall, HIV activist and star of the TV show ‘It’s A Sin’ shared his powerful personal journey, discussing the importance of mental health awareness and breaking down stigmas.

Former professional footballer-turned-counsellor Sean Hessey spoke about how the emotional and psychological challenges he faced as an athlete face led him to pursue a career in supporting others.

Barnaby Dickenson, author of ‘My Daughters Are Trying To Kill Me… But I Love Them Anyway’ spoke about his family’s story of living with autism and how it led to him publishing a book about the experiences.

Former Riverside College students, Paula Taylor and Andrew Thompson, shared how their time at the College helped shape their careers in counselling and their progression to now working at Barnardo’s. Former Riverside College Counselling tutor Leigh Best was the final speaker, and discussed the pride felt in seeing the Centre of Excellence come to life.

The event was also a platform for making valuable connections. Local businesses, organisations, and mental health professionals expressed keen interest in offering work placements for Riverside College’s counselling students.

Rachel Wilson, Programme Area Leader for Counselling, said, “Our launch event was a resounding success, celebrating the hard work, dedication, and passion that have gone into establishing our Centre of Excellence. As a team, we are incredibly proud of the work we do. It is an honour to guide our students through their studies, helping them become the counsellors of the future. We are continually inspired by their courage and strength as they embark on this journey of self-discovery.”

The launch of the Centre of Excellence for Counselling marks an exciting new chapter for Riverside College, one that will provide students with the tools, resources, and experiences they need to thrive in their careers.

For those interested in exploring the Counselling courses at Riverside College and learning more about the opportunities available, further information can be found at www.riversidecollege.ac.uk/centre-of-excellence-counselling