SERC Introduces New Social Spaces for Mental Health

High rates of anxiety have a major impact on student learning and attendance. In response to this, SERC has used funding from the Crescent Purchasing Consortium to install several new benches, sofas and a dedicated relaxation area, to create spaces designed to reduce student anxiety, promote open communication between students, and improve overall college attendance by offering support for mental health.   

On Bangor campus, the new benches and sofas invite students to be on campus even when not attending classes, and create natural opportunities for social interaction, which can be effective first steps in managing mild to moderate anxiety. Research suggests that more social interaction may help to improve student retention rates in schools and colleges. 

On Newtownards campus, there is now a new dedicated relaxation area, with items known to support emotional regulation, such as a comfortable sofa, a massage chair, a weighted blanket, fidget toys, and bean bags. This area acts as an essential ‘safe space’, where students who feel overwhelmed can temporarily retreat to reorient themselves before returning to their studies or seeking further assistance from staff. 

SERC Programme Development Manager Kim Godsman comments, “By providing immediate, non-judgmental coping tools, SERC demonstrates a commitment to addressing the root causes of absenteeism linked to mental distress. When students know there is a place to decompress, they are more likely to arrive in the morning and remain engaged throughout the day. By investing in physical spaces that actively promote relaxation and communication, SERC is building a more resilient student body, better equipped to attend college.”