Grŵp Llandrillo Menai introduces pods for students who need a quiet space

Student support pods at Grwp Llandrillo Menai

Submitted by Nick Hill

A local college group has provided students with pods to visit when they feel overwhelmed.

The pods have been installed at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai campuses.

These include: Coleg Llandrillo, Colwyn Bay, Conwy; Coleg Menai, Bangor, Gwynedd and Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor, Dolgellau, Gwynedd.

The pods are available for all learners to access, but are mainly for students with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties (BESDs).

There are a combination of two and four-seater pods.

They have been funded by a Covid-19 wellbeing grant from the Welsh government.

Grŵp Llandrillo Menai is one of the first college groups in Wales to provide these pods.

Staff began to notice that an increased number of learners were requesting the need for a quiet place to go to, and they were keen to react to these needs.

Elin Jones, autism mentor at the college, said: "These pods are such a simple idea, and will benefit the students greatly.

"Having safe spaces to go to when feeling overwhelmed, at a heightened state of stress, or just in need of five minutes time out, is immensely reassuring for our learners.

"They can go sit in the pods, which close off triggers, without needing to talk or look at anyone.

"Some students tend to go and hide when they don’t want to face certain things.

"These areas will be safe havens for them, and will give us a better chance of locating them so that we can discuss with them calmly about what’s causing the stress or anxiety."

The pods will provide quiet and low stimulus spaces for students.

They can also act as more private areas for one-to-one sessions with learners.

They are generally located within learning support areas, but at some campuses they are located in libraries and learner service departments.

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