National recognition for college student

A student at Derby College Group has been shortlisted for a national award recognising her work to improve mental health.

Bhavandeep Bains, 18, is a finalist in the Young Student of the Year category of the Association of Colleges’ Student of the Year awards, which celebrates students who stand out from the crowd, have gone above and beyond, whether in college or their local community.

Bhavandeep, who is studying A Levels at DCG’s Joseph Wright Centre, is the driving force behind the college’s Student Mental Health Society, which she launched last year to help fellow students learn and share knowledge with each and instigate conversations to breakdown the stigma around mental health.

It was launched initially for students at the Joseph Wright Centre and has since been rolled out across all colleges in DCG: The Roundhouse, Broomfield Hall and Ilkeston Community College.

Bhavandeep has drawn on her own experiences of mental health issues, bullying and the challenges of being a young carer to help improve services for young people by getting involved in local and national research into the issue, which is then discussed with health professionals.

DCG Students’ Union development manager Mark Rugman said: “We are delighted that Bhavandeep has reached the final of this prestigious national awards scheme.

“The Student Mental Health Society was set up during the pandemic and has been an important part of the overall support available to students during the past year.”