OK, so the title and subtitle of this issue may pay unintentional homage to a famous continental lager, but the message is relevant to those of us in FE and HE.
This issue reflects on the rich diversity of our worlds, not just the student communities we serve, but also how we seek to meet the diverse range of mental health and student support needs.
Welcome to Michael Priestly, from the Charlie Waller Trust, and PhD student, who explains how the CREATE principles of co-production, risk assessment, evaluation, accessibility, togetherness and embeddedness can forge together to present a whole-university approach to supporting mental health.
Another PhD student, Olga Papadopoulou, shares with us her compelling and impressive literature review, which illustrates the widespread published research on the helpfulness and effectiveness of student counselling.
It’s important that, as a journal, we hear from a diverse range of voices and perspectives, so thank you to Veronica Smith, who, as a current sex worker and trainee therapist, urges therapists not to perpetuate society’s stigma about sex workers and, when counselling those in this community, to value their clients as complete human beings.
A warm welcome also to Arran Knight, who argues that when it comes to the conversation about sexual consent, men and women may need different guidance on sex and sexuality, and that perhaps we need to look more deeply at the path to maturity for young men.
I’m delighted to introduce our two new columnists. Michael Pearson will be waving the equality, diversity and inclusion flag, and in this issue provides his perspectives on being a gay, white male. And to Sarah Hinds, wearing several hats as counsellor, tutor, workshop facilitator and student, who offers her ponderings as a counselling tutor.
Our Profile piece returns with a fascinating insight into Desmond Channer, from Newham Sixth Form College in East London. Thanks, Desmond, for sharing your insightful journey and why you love what you do, and where you do it.
A final thanks to our regular BACP UC stalwarts, who share what’s happening in our divisional sub-groups covering Colleges, HUCS, Staff counselling and the Research SIG. The division is currently transitioning to a new Chair, so we hope to welcome the new Chair in the next issue.
I hope you enjoy this issue. Slainte.
Rick Hughes
ucc.editorial@bacp.co.uk
