Andover students bring mental health to the fore by scaling the 02 Arena

Health and Social Care students at Andover College conquered the famous London 02 Arena in aid of not one, but two mental health charities last week. The group of Level 2 students and their teachers climbed the iconic building as part of their equality and diversity module, raising money for both Papyrus and Andover Mind, as well as overcoming their own fears in the process.

The 90-minute climb ‘Up at the 02’ with the summit set at 52 metres above ground level, tested the nerve of students and staff alike. However, with their charities in mind they powered through, completing the course and raising a total of £846.

Health and Social Care lecturer Rachel Cox, described the experience as empowering and inclusive and was delighted with the project’s outcome. She continued: “The group were very positive and any nerves about the course quickly dissipated as they supported one another through each stage of the climb. In fact, surprisingly the descent proved to be the trickiest part of the process due to its 30-degree gradient, making it the steepest section!”

Rachel, who has been instrumental in supporting the team said “The students were keen to raise money specifically for mental health charities on both local and national levels, as each student has been touched by the loss of someone through suicide. As a team, we experienced an overwhelming sense of achievement firstly on completing the climb, but also from bringing awareness and aid to those in need, in the hopes of preventing such sad events from taking place.”

Andover College has a commitment to bringing learning to life beyond the classroom by providing such challenging experiences that help students grow personally as well as academically. The department plans to repeat the fundraiser with a larger group, this time at night.

Students studying Health and Social Care are preparing themselves for careers in nursing and social work, as well as in areas such as youth work and counselling so the charities supported through their efforts resonate with their long term ambitions.

For further information on the full range of Health and Social Care courses available at the College please click on this link.