A unique health and wellbeing project, led by staff working in Fife College’s Learning Centre at HMP Cornton Vale, has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.
An exciting partnership initiative making a positive impact on the health and confidence of learners, ‘Team Sally’ has been recognised in the Support for Learners category at the 2020 Tes FE (Further Education) Awards.
The inclusion on the shortlist follows the team’s Partnership Award win at The Herald Higher Education Awards last year.
Delivered in partnership with the NHS and the Scottish Prison Service, the programme starts with learners receiving a team folder, including a diary log book, calendar, pedometer, and relaxation CD. Women are then encouraged by a range of ‘Team Sally characters’ including Positive Polly and nicotine-dependent Ash-lea, to work through challenges and receive rewards.
Whilst engaging with the Learning Centre throughout, taking part in creative project-based learning activities with embedded literacy and numeracy themes, learners undertake and monitor their involvement in various challenges, recording progress and self-reflection in individual diaries, receiving rewards alongside.
Qualifications that can be achieved through the Team Sally programme include Personal Development, Health and Wellbeing Awards, Nutrition, Sport and Fitness, and Core Skills.
Audrey Mitchell, Head of Prison Contract, Learning and Skills Services at Fife College said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted at the 2020 Tes FE Awards. A great deal of work has gone into Team Sally which is making a huge difference to the health and wellbeing of our learners at HMP Cornton Vale.
“It is great to receive this kind of national recognition for our hard work, especially when you see the amazing range of projects going on in universities and colleges across the country.”
Tes FE editor Stephen Exley said: “Excellent practice exists right across the further education sector, and those shortlisted for the Tes FE Awards are the cream of the crop. Our judges were extremely impressed with the calibre of entries. To be shortlisted is an extraordinary achievement."
The Tes FE Awards celebrate the dedication and expertise of the people and teams who continue to make a significant contribution to improving the skill levels of young people and adult learners across the country.
Fife College is the first national provider of the learning and skills contract across all 13 Scottish publicly owned prisons.
