Students give pampering sessions to raise money for Mind

Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor students raised funds for mental health charity Mind by offering pampering sessions at Iechyd Da 2024 in Dolgellau.

Learners from the hair and beauty department gave mini manicures, plaiting and scalp massage treatments to raise funds for Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s partner charity of the year.

Iechyd Da is a free, annual health and wellbeing event at Canolfan Hamdden Glan Wnion in Dolgellau. It is organised by Mantell Gwynedd, which supports voluntary and community groups in the county.

This year’s event featured stalls and activities on health screening, mindfulness, volunteering, work opportunities and more.

Thanks to students from Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor’s Dolgellau campus, visitors were also able to unwind with various beauty treatments, raising £29 for Mind.

Jill Renshaw, Beauty Therapy lecturer at the college, said: “We’ve been working with Mantell Gwynedd since 2011 and we participate in the Iechyd Da / Good Health Event every October.

“In college we offer a full range of hair and beauty treatments. At the event we’re trying to treat as many of the general public as we can, so we give mini manicure treatments which includes visitors having their nails filed, a 10-minute hand and arm massage, and having their nails enamelled. Hairdressing students also offered scalp massages and plaiting.

“We take beauty therapy and hairdressing learners to the Good Health Event, as it’s a great opportunity for them to develop their skills, work on their timing and techniques, work with clients and practise their customer service skills.

“They always enjoy participating in the Good Health Event and raising money for the college charity.

“Our first-year Beauty Therapy students have been working hard, since the beginning of term, leading up to this event, learning how to manicure. I'm so proud of them, conversing happily and professionally with clients.”

Students offered treatments for a suggested donation of £3, as well as selling raffle tickets, with proceeds going to Mind.

Level 1 Beauty Therapy students enjoyed the experience, with Ffion Roberts saying: “Thank you to Mantell Gwynedd for letting us take part in the Good Health Event 2024. I really enjoyed myself and meeting new people.”

Rebecca Jones said: “It has improved my confidence dramatically as I have never performed the treatment on a client before. As the day went on my enamelling and massage skills improved, I enjoyed meeting new people and I would enjoy doing this again next year.”

Kimberley Ann Cheetham-Turbill said: “This is the first time I've manicured a paying client. It was a bit nerve-racking to begin with, but with all the support we've had from Jill our tutor, it was much easier than I thought.”

Haf Mai Thomas said: “This has boosted my confidence and I would like to do it again next year.”

Kay Smalley-Reese, Hair and Beauty lecturer, said: “Having the opportunity to take part in this event is so important for our students. It's a great chance to meet with prospective clients and for them to meet people face-to-face.”

Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s partner charities for 2024/25 are Conwy Mind, which offers support for people with mental health issues in Anglesey, Conwy and Gwynedd, and Vale of Clwyd Mind, which helps people in Denbighshire.

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