GCRB and Glasgow colleges continue collaborative and regional work
Glasgow Colleges' Regional Board is progressing regional plans and collaborative work with Glasgow's three colleges during the COVID-19 outbreak.
GCRB's Chair Janie McCusker and Executive Director Martin Boyle are working remotely with College Principals and Assigned College Chairs from Glasgow's three colleges, representatives from the further education sector and the GCRB team to progress plans and ensure continuity for the region.
The first virtual GCRB Board meeting will take place at the end of April and committees are taking place via conferencing facilities, while the region's project plans continue to progress.
As the main picture above shows, staff from Glasgow's three colleges have also been working remotely and supporting students during the COVID-19 crisis since the college buildings closed on 17 March (City of Glasgow pictured top, Glasgow Clyde students in the middle and Glasgow Kelvin at the bottom).
Chair Janie McCusker said: "We want to say a huge thank to all the staff and students across our three colleges, Glasgow Clyde College, City of Glasgow College and Glasgow Kelvin College, for working through the changes, adhering to Government guidelines and adapting so quickly to remote teaching and learning since colleges closed.
"Since then, we have been particularly impressed with initiatives to help others in the community, including providing supplies and products to the NHS. Glasgow colleges have really gone above and beyond to help others during this time.
"GCRB is also committed to continuing our collaborative working, progressing our regional projects and plans for the future and working closely, and remotely, to achieve these."
Some positive examples of work across the region to support students, staff and the wider community have included:
- Glasgow Kelvin College provided science supplies, scrubs and healthcare products to support the NHS while Glasgow Clyde College also provided medical equipment and PPE.
- City of Glasgow College estates staff gathered goods from the college's dry goods store and delivered them to charity Refuweegee ahead of the Easter weekend.
- Jon Vincent from Glasgow Clyde College talked about engaging learners remotely, which resulted in positive pieces in Glasgow Times and TES.
- An opinion piece by City of Glasgow College Principal Paul Little was published in The Herald, highlighting how the college has been supporting staff, students and the community during COVID-19.
You can read further news stories from each college: City of Glasgow College, Glasgow Clyde College and Glasgow Kelvin College.
As well as continuing to host committees and meetings, GCRB continues to highlight appropriate initiatives and collaborative work in the region through its regional projects - see examples included below..
Mental Health Project
GCRB is working with the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust to develop mental health support for students and staff and to improve regional practices and resources across Glasgow's three colleges.
Charlie Waller Memorial Trust is offering a series of short lunchtime Continuing Professional Development (CPD) online sessions to all three colleges as well as daily tips to staff and students.
The mental health initiative follows GCRB's announcement that all Glasgow staff and students now have access to digital mental health and well-being resource the Big White Wall.
STAY Service Project
Action for Children charity joined forces with GCRB and West College Scotland to offer the STAY programme, providing practical and emotional help to care-experienced students to help them succeed in college and beyond (pictured above).
Action for Children continues to support students during the COVID-19 outbreak, keeping them motivated, informed and engaged.
Staff have also been supplying care-experienced students with food, toiletries, internet access, phone top-up cards and support with gas and electric, as well as providing essential emotional and well-being support during this time..