STUDENTS at Forth Valley College’s Alloa campus have a spring in their step, following a refreshers event on Wednesday 18 February.

Aiming to promote health and wellbeing – and also helping to develop employability and life skills – it formed part of a series of events which were held across all campuses.

They were planned by the Student Association and the Student Services Team to welcome new students who joined the college in January and also to give existing students a boost as they progressed with their course.

Lorraine Simpson, Forth Valley Student Association president, said: “Our Refreshers Fairs have been a big hit with students and just the thing to give them a boost after the Christmas break.

“You can only do your best if you feel fit and healthy and hopefully our students are now armed with lots of information and advice to look after their physical and mental wellbeing.

“The events also focused on developing employability and life skills which will be really important for our students over the next few months as they consider their next steps.” A wide range of exhibitors were on hand to offer information and advice to students including Barnardos, CLIC Sergeant, CTSI, CVS Falkirk, Gideons, Home Energy Scotland, IPG Paintball, Kidney Kids, Scottish Youth Parliament, Stirling University, Terrence Higgins and Tempo Tea Bar.

There was also the opportunity for students to de-stress and have a bit of fun with competitions, prizes and a giant buzz-wire.

In addition, the college benefited from funding from the Barclay’s Life Skills Project and recruited a team of student ‘Barclay’s Champions’ to help support a range of activities including a ‘dress to impress’ interview fashion challenge, guess the salary competition and offering interview advice and checklists.

Jean Duff, Student Services manager at Forth Valley College, added: “We’ve been delighted at the success of our Refreshers Fairs.

“We normally hold health and wellbeing events in February but we’ve had very positive feedback on a broader event encompassing the Barclay’s Life Skills activities too. It’s important that we offer our students advice on how to look after themselves and also help them to develop the skills to be successful when they leave college.”