Music, games and plenty of new faces set the tone for the new academic year as students at Barnfield College came together for this year's Welcome Fairs.
The campus was busy with students trying out activities, taking part in games, free food, and giveaways. For many, it was the first chance to settle in, find their feet and make friends outside their own course.
The fairs also gave students a feel for everything college life has to offer beyond the classroom, from clubs and activities to support services on campus. More than 350 students attended the events. Local services and employers were on hand too, so students could find out about the support available to them during their time at college and afterwards.
Organisations that attended included Luton Sexual Health, Luton Council, Beds Police Education & Diversion Team, Luton CAMHS, Reactiv8, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue, Tokko Youth Hub. Organisations such as these attended to promote their wide-ranging support and information available to young people in their retrospective fields.
Sabrina Barry, Head of Student Experience at the West Herts College Group, said:
"The Welcome Fairs were a brilliant way to start the year. Seeing students join in, meet people they might not have met otherwise and discover what's available to them was amazing. It's exactly what our Personal Development programme is about: wellbeing, community and growth."
The Welcome Fairs were run by the college's Personal Development team and were the West Herts College Group’s biggest footfall for Welcome Fairs so far! The Personal Development programme runs alongside every course and helps students build the confidence and life skills they need to do well at college and beyond.