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Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow Clyde College launches book to help student parents
Glasgow Clyde College, which aims to be one of the most family-friendly campuses in the country, has introduced a variety of support measures for parents resuming their studies. The new book, titled Little Life Changing Stuff, was illustrated by Glasgow Clyde College alumna Esmé Boyle and tells the story of a mother and her son starting college together. (Image: Supplied) Read more: Two Glaswegians help create 'meaningful' change to future of Scottish Parliament The release is part of a broader effort to ease the transition for student-parents, recognising the challenges of balancing education with family life. The college has introduced several child-friendly measures across its three campuses, allowing parents to bring their young children with them between classes and nursery. These include bottle-warming facilities, highchairs in canteen spaces, and baby-changing tables in toilets. Parents will also have access to finance workshops to help them understand funding options for their courses, as well as funded nursery education during teaching hours where available. David Marshall, assistant principal for student experience at Glasgow Clyde College, said: "We understand that for any parent, and particularly new parents, returning to or starting education can be daunting. "There are many concerns such as juggling parenting and studying, nerves around returning to education, and the expense of childcare. "That's why we've taken these important steps to support parents returning to education to make the transition as smooth as possible for parents and their children. 'We strive as a college to create an inclusive, welcoming, and nurturing supportive environment where everyone can thrive and believe these plans will ensure that new parents will be in an environment where they can experience and create life-changing stuff.' The college also plans to provide parents with an online guide showcasing local family-friendly activities, restaurants, and groups in the area. Its library will feature a dedicated children's section, allowing parents to borrow books for children of all ages, including the new illustrated storybook. (Image: Supplied) Read more: 'Extremely proud': Glasgow homeless organisation wins prestigious award Student-parent Jamie-Lee, 19, who is studying access to social care at the college's Anniesland campus, said: "I picked Glasgow Clyde College as I don't really know people in the area, and I felt it was the right environment for me to meet new people and create friendships throughout my course. 'When choosing a college, I had to consider childcare and learn how it worked but it was easy to locate information about childcare at the college via the Glasgow Clyde website. "I would recommend the nursery as the staff are really helpful, friendly and my daughter loves them too. 'They always meet my child's needs and are really supportive about personal matters too. "I would highly recommend Glasgow Clyde College to a friend or family member as the college suits everyone's needs and overall is a nice place to be."
The Herald Scotland
7 days ago
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Picture book encourages parents to consider college
For me, the best part of that job was the sense that you were really helping to give me an opportunity to change their life. Sometimes the people looking for that chance had not done well at school because of personal circumstances, medical conditions, or additional support needs – to give just three examples. Sometimes they had spent years, or decades, in unsatisfying jobs, and wanted to head off down a different path. Sometimes they were refugees who were coping with unimaginable trauma. I taught a lot of those types of people, and learned that colleges are vital to many of them. And the same is true of relatively young, and often single, parents of nursery-aged children. I can still remember sitting talking to students about their kids, and the fact that becoming a parent had made them determined to build a better life for both of them. On more than one occasion when people were unexpectedly struggling to find or afford childcare, I told them to bring their children to class. When I talk to people about whether or not I miss teaching, the conversation very often, and very quickly, becomes about how much I miss helping the people I used to get to call students, and the new parents (and their kids) are always near the front of my mind. So imagine how it felt to receive a press release earlier this week announcing that my former employer has published a book as part of wider efforts to encourage and support more parents back into education. The book highlights some of the support available for parents and their young children. (Image: Chris James / Glasgow Clyde College) Entitled 'Little Life Changing Stuff', the children's picture book has been illustrated by former college student Esmé Boyle and tells the story of a mother restarting her education at Glasgow Clyde College's Anniesland campus. The book highlights some of the resources available to parents, from high chairs and bottle heaters to an on-site nursery and even a children's section of the campus library. It also acknowledges possible worries that parents might be feeling. Returning to education as an adult can be incredibly daunting for many people, with the fear of failure often proving to be an enormous barrier for prospective students. But as a contrast to anxiety over the worst-case scenarios, the book instead asks 'what's the best that can happen?'. The answer, of course, is 'totally life-changing stuff.' One of the people supporting this new push from the college is Jamie-Lee, a nineteen year old who has recently returned to education. Jamie-Lee says that the college has been extremely supportive for her and her daughter Lily. (Image: Chris James / Glasgow Clyde College) Her daughter, two-year-old Lily, attends the campus nursery, and she is keen to praise the support she has received: 'When choosing a college, I had to consider childcare and learn how it worked but it was easy to locate information into childcare at the college via the Glasgow Clyde website. 'I would recommend the nursery as the staff are really helpful, friendly and my daughter loves them too. 'They always meet my child's needs and are really supportive about personal matters too.' Information on the courses available at Glasgow Clyde College, and the childcare funding to which students may be entitled, is available online. A digital copy of 'Little Life Changing Stuff' is also available for free.
STV News
23-05-2025
- General
- STV News
New children's book to encourage parents to return to education
A children's book aimed at adults has been launched as part of a new initiative to encourage parents across Scotland to return to education. Glasgow Clyde College (GCC) has updated its campus facilities as part of a launch of support for parents returning to education, including baby changing facilities, highchairs and bottle warming stations, a children's section in the library, access to finance and wellbeing support, Also released is 'Little Life Changing Stuff' – an illustrated children's book created with GCC alumna Esmé Boyle, which is aimed at helping little ones understand the journey of returning to college. The book, which tells the story of a mum and her son starting college together, is designed to be read to children to explain what a day at college is like. The initiative comes after enrollment stats showed that Glasgow Clyde College serves areas which rank highly in Scotland's Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD), with 28.7% of enrolments from SIMD10 and 44.9% from SIMD20. The college has said that new parents looking to return to education are affected by pressures such as uncertainty about returning, balancing childcare with studies and not knowing what support will be available can all be barriers for parents – factors that often can prevent them from applying completely. David Marshall, Assistant Principal for Student Experience, at Glasgow Clyde College said: 'We understand that for any parent, and particularly new parents, returning to or starting education can be daunting. 'There are many concerns such as juggling parenting and studying, nerves around returning to education, and the expense of childcare. 'That's why we've taken these important steps to support parents returning to education to make the transition as smooth as possible for parents and their children. 'We strive as a college to create an inclusive, welcoming and nurturing supportive environment where everyone can thrive and believe these plans will ensure that new parents will be in an environment where they can experience and create life changing stuff.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
