Project Extension to 28 Months Approved due to COVID19 Erasmus Project

Project Title

Project Extension to 28 Months Approved due to COVID19

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for higher education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2019

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Health and wellbeing; Inclusion – equity; New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses

Project Summary

In view of further publication on the Erasmus+ Project Results Platform, please also be aware that a comprehensive public summary of project results will be requested at report stage(s). Final payment provisions in the contract will be linked to the availability of such summary.

This project aims to support students to transition to Higher Education (HE) Many students encounter considerable stress and can be left struggling to cope with the move to university and HE life.

Context 1.: The proposed project is based on the overall programme objective of ERASMUS +

– boost skills employability
– modernise educations, training and youth and
– focus on young people

Project objectives are:

-To collaborate with 5 transnational partner organizations (3 of whom are HEI’s) based in the UK, Ireland, and Finland who have particular expertise in supporting students transitioning to Higher Education to share best practice and develop, adapt and implement innovative practices;

-Development of a transition strategy led by Diakonia College (Finland)

-Development of an accredited level two, 16 hour “Transitioning to HE” course with a section on promoting mental well-being ( included in the course will be a series of short films/pod casts comprised of student experiences from each partner country) all materials will be placed on an online portal. The course will developed led by (DKIT) Dundalk Institute of Technology (Ireland) 101

– To develop 20 college staff in new pedagogical approaches, materials and coaching methods through a 5 days transnational train the trainer programme supporting educators to become mental well-being coaches led by (SRC) Southern regional College (UK) IO2

– Development of a on-line resilience tool kit for students starting college/university. This will be a resource bank of research, case studies and practical tools to help students overcome stress, anxiety and other barriers which will help them fully integrate into HE life led by Kelvin College Glasgow (UK) IO3

The target group for this project are educators and students (who will be progressing into HE) The “Transitioning to HE” course will be piloted to 60 students across Europe in the 2nd year of the project. The course will then be embedded within the curriculum offering of College’s preparing students transitioning to HE.

This project will also enable policy makers to embed the transition strategy into each partner organisation. This project will ultimately have an impact on students health and well-being and will aid retention in HE.
Needs: For many new students starting university of College can be a testing time. Universities already have plenty of initiatives to support their students in place – but they could be strengthened through a transition strategy that prioritises mental health and wellbeing.

This project will enable all partners to work together to in order to improve provision for learners in progressing to HE and share innovative practices within and beyond the organisations involved. The project will contribute to decreasing the anxiety often faced by students. The project will increase the knowledge and skills around self care for students. This project will also have a positive impact on HE institutions as there will be less student illness, referrals and student drop out aiding retention, achievement and ultimately making the HE institutions an attractive option. This project will benefit the learners, organisation and countries involved in the project.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 193793 Eur

Project Coordinator

Southern Regional College & Country: UK

Project Partners

• Glasgow Kelvin College
• Kettle of Fish CIC
• DUNDALK INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
• Suomen Diakoniaopisto SDO OY
• DECROLY S.L.