Sophie's Interview with Steve Newman

Question 1. What is your role in college?

Answer- I see the councilors role is to provide emotional support to both students and staff if wanted.

Question 2. What sort of problems do students come to you with?

Answer- Mainly relationship issues boyfriends and girlfriends. Workload issues especially around the college can i cope? can i get my qualifications?. It can be a bit of a step up from school at times they struggle with that. There are some other difficulties but they are now coping. People come in with self harm issues, eating disorders, low self-esteem that really does make a difference to a person and how they engage with others.

Question 3. What additional help is available for students?

Answer- Well after seeing the students if we think that there's specific help needed we might refer them to external agencies. We also have Karen mayfield who is the welfare officer who's very active within the college, who's very knowledgeable on additional help.

Question 4. Roughly how many students come to see you in a week?

Answer- It varies on a weekly basis. 20 sessions available a week shared out by three of the councilors, half of theses sessions are reguarly used. During peak times its almost like theres no spaces.

Question 5. What would you say to a student who wanted to come talk to you but felt too embarrassed?

Councilors aren't here to judge you and that we as human beings all have moments where we feel inadequate and struggle and by sharing those feelings within the safety of the counseling environment.

Question 6. Is there anything you would like us to use to promote your services in our video?

A dance troop.

Question 7. What do you enjoy most about your job?

For me it would be watching a person emotionally develop and take direction in their lives. Taking the reins of life but they dont become a victim of it. The biggest challenge is to live life and not be worn down by it.