Mental Health & Wellbeing

Support is available around the clock at Hopwood Hall to ensure that you get the assistance you need to maintain your health and wellbeing throughout your studies. Your physical and emotional wellbeing are our priority.  

We understand that maintaining the best mental and physical wellbeing is so very important throughout your study journey and beyond. That’s why we are constantly developing resources, investing in staff training and delivering activities to give you the very best opportunities to stay well.  

Our Health and Wellbeing offer to all learners and apprentices includes:  

Pastoral Welfare Officers  

Our team are trained to support you with any health and wellbeing concerns or queries you may have. They are an ideal port of call to signpost you to resources in College and a wide range of support services within the community, with a number of these being accessible 24/7.

Based across college, the team are here to support you in identifying and addressing any problems which may be impacting on your studies. They can advise and guide you on maintaining a healthy work-life balance and signpost you to additional resources which may help you.    

Click to view the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy

College Counsellor  

We provide an on-site counselling service through a caring and approachable, fully-trained counsellor (by appointment only). This is an ideal opportunity to express your thoughts and emotions in a safe space and receive support in finding the tools to help you cope.  

Social Prescriber  

We have a specialist member of staff who liaises with external agencies in the community and nationally to ensure that all learners have access to the very latest information, support networks and services to maintain positive mental health.  

Mental Health First-Aiders  

Many members of staff across College have undergone specialist training to become Mental Health First Aiders with the skills and knowledge to identify some mental health issues and be able to react quickly and safely in the event of a crisis.  

Enrichment & Engagement Activities  

We offer a wide range of enrichment opportunities to help learners make positive lifestyle choices, develop a healthy work-life balance and to increase their social circle where they can access peer support. Read more about the range of enrichment activities at Enrichment Hub.  

Gym Access  

As a healthy workplace, we recognise the importance of maintaining a healthy body and mind. That’s why we offer free access to our fantastic on-site gym and a full range of fitness classes for learners and staff alike.  

Students training in gym, Greater Manchester

Student Cabinet  

We give learners the opportunity to guide the direction of our health and wellbeing provision and activities through our student cabinet. This group meets regularly to plan and discuss activities and promotions.  

Free healthy breakfast  

We understand that a healthy breakfast can set you up for a successful day of study and so we offer a free breakfast for all students served from 8am. Tuck into porridge, toast and preserves to help you start your day!

Partnership Working   

We offer support and guidance to all learners by working in partnership with local services to form a multi-disciplinary team of support to learners and apprentices, who are considered to be vulnerable.  

Useful Links:

Anxiety UK – Advice and support for people living with anxiety. 08444 775 774 anxietyuk.org.uk  

b-eat – Supporting people affected by eating disorders. Providing step-by-step programmes, and support for people with anxiety disorders Adult helpline: 0808 801 0677 Youthline: 0808 801 0711  b-eat.co.uk  

Carers UK – Independent information and support for carers. 0808 808 7777 carersuk.org  

FRANK – Confidential drugs advice and information. 0300 123 6600 talktofrank.com  

No Panic –  Provides a helpline, step-by-step programmes, and support for people with anxiety disorders. Helpline 0844 967 4848 (10am–10pm) nopanic.org.uk  

Papyrus – Provides information and support for anyone under 35 who is struggling with suicidal feelings, or anyone concerned about a young person who might be struggling. 0800 068 4141 papyrus-uk.org  

Samaritans – Emotional support for anyone feeling down, experiencing distress or struggling to cope. 24-hour helpline: Freephone: 116 123 samaritans.org  

Sane – Offers emotional support and information to anyone affected by mental health problems. SANEline: 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm–10.30pm)  

Student Minds – Mental health support for students. studentminds.org.uk  

Time to Change – National campaign to end stigma and discrimination against people with mental health problems . Run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness. 020 8215 2356 time-to-change.org.uk  

Young Minds – Local Minds provide services such as talking therapies, peer support, and advocacy. Helplines Anxiety UK anxietyuk.org.uk 08444 775 774 Advice and support for people living with anxiety youngminds.org  

Thrive In Education: Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with  Early Break, Your Trust, Place2Be and Youth in Mind, helps young people experiencing low level emotional and behavioural difficulties, such as worry and low mood. Tel: 0161 716 2908  

Kooth: Online mental healthcare service which aims to provide mental health service to individuals under the age of 21. Access online mental health services that work alongside you to provide compassionate and effective support.  Contact: Tom Boroughs, tboroughs@kooth.com   

All4Youth , Support in taking youths off the streets into a place of safety. The organisation also provides support and guidance to those suffering from mental health issues, drug/alcohol addiction, bullying, depression, anxiety, and more.  Contact: Hassan Ali 07841622399    

Carers Hub – Young carers , Provide information, advice and a wide range of specialist support services designed to help young and adult Carers continue in their caring role for as long as they choose and reduce the impact the caring role can have on their own health and wellbeing. Contact: Natalie Paintin , 0345 013 8208 , npaintin@rochdalecarers.co.uk  

Early Break , A drug and alcohol service for young people aged under 21 years and their families  
offering one to one support for young people who are using drugs and/or alcohol. Tel: 0161 723 3880, info@earlybreak.co.uk  

Healthy Young Minds Rochdale , Offers a skilled emotional health assessment and intervention service to young people with more moderate to severe mental health needs, including those with severe learning disability and complex neurodevelopmental disorders (ASD and ADHD). Tel: 01706 676 000 
  
 Community Eating Disorder Service , Supports young people and offers drop in, group assessments and treatments and provides both routine and specialist support,  healthyyoungmindspennine.nhs.uk / , Tel: 0161 716 1560 , pcn-tr.ceds@nhs.net  

Rochdale Advocacy Together Hub , Offer a wide variety of support to help people deal with the personal and practical impacts of mental health issues.  , Moni Noszkay Tel: 01706 641389, rochdaleadvocacy@together-uk.org   

Sanctuary Trust , A safe space women’s group every Wednesday 5pm – 7pm at the reaching out centre on Drake street. Providing food and drinks and a safe environment for women to chat to other women about anything. , Contact: Angie , 07711785131 , AngiesAngels1@outlook.com  

Good News Community Church , Support for asylum seekers / refugees coming into Rochdale – Help them get to know how to live and what services are available to them in Rochdale. Contact: Reza, gncc.rochdale@gmail.com   

Carers Hub , Information, advice and a wide range of specialist support services designed to help young and adult Carers continue in their caring role for as long as they choose and reduce the impact the caring role can have on their own health and wellbeing. Contact: Natalie Paintin , 0345 013 8208 , npaintin@rochdalecarers.co.uk  

Rochdale AFC Community Trust , Goals is a programme designed to aid positive mental wellbeing through weekly football sessions.  Contact: charlotte.griffiths@rochdaleafc.co.uk  

Turning Point , Rochdale and Oldham Active Recovery is a provider of drug and alcohol recovery services to the boroughs of Rochdale and Oldham in Greater Manchester. They work with anyone who is affected by drugs or alcohol and wants support to make a change. They offer a variety of treatment options and will support you to find what is best for you.  Tel:: 0300 555 0234  , Make online referral  https://tp-opa.custhelp.com/tp_opa/owda/0/investigate/Professional%20Referral/en-US/ScreenOrder~Main~qs%24cf63214e-894c-4279-bc1a-cd1da1a35af5%24global%24global    

Rochdale and Disctrict Mind  , Wellbeing groups available include: Anxiety Management, Depression Management, Male Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse, Female Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse, BAME Women’s Support Group, Women’s Wellbeing Group, Men’s Support Group, Relaxation (women only), Relaxation (mixed), BAME Social Café, Survivors Female Social Café, Survivors Male Social Café, Creative Writing, Listening Lounge, Growth Project. Contact: Alice Astley , 01706 752338  , aliceastley@rochdalemind.org.uk  

Caring and Sharing Rochdale , We offer befriending support, well being phone calls/ chats, community events, information and advice sessions, zumba classes, mental health workshops to reduce the effects of isolation and pressures of mental health.  Contact: Nicky Iginla 07944 238892 caringandsharingrochdale04@gmail.com  

Rochdale Womens Welfare , Wellbeing support – domestic abuse , Contact: Khalda Manzoor , 01706 860157 , khalda@rwwa.co.uk  

Proud Trust Youth Group, Mondays 5 – 6.30pm at Rochdale Connections Trust and the Fusion Group (for young people of colour) runs on Manchester on alternate Tuesdays 5pm-6.30pm.   Tel: 0161 660 3347     

Proud Trust Helpline , For parents and young people to chat to a youth worker for advice including on coming out. It is open Tuesday-Thursday 12-6pm.  https://www.theproudtrust.org/proud-connections/ 

Middleton Campus
Rochdale Road, Middleton
Manchester, M24 6XH
0161 643 7560
Rochdale Campus
St. Mary’s Gate
Rochdale, OL12 6RY
01706 345 346