Trail marker 6, a place to breathe, supporting student well-being.

As you stand here in the Crichton Estate, you are in a place long associated with care. On the sign as you enter, it reads, “A Place to Breathe.” And for nearly two centuries, that idea has shaped what happens here.

The story begins in 1839 with the opening of the Crichton Royal Hospital. At the time, it was a pioneering institution, an internationally recognized for its progressive approach to mental health care. Here, treatment was not only about medicine, it was about environment and patient well-being. Care, not confinement. Patients were surrounded by open spaces, architecture, nature, and creativity. Given opportunities for occupation and art therapies, all seen as essential parts of healing, it was a holistic approach, far ahead of its time, placing the individual at the center of care.

That legacy still lives on today within the college. Although hospital services ended in November, 2011, the Crichton has continued its transformation from a place of care to a place of learning, entertainment, and businesses, while holding onto that original purpose, to support the whole person. Today, Dumfries and Galloway College is part of that story. The college is not only rooted in delivering skills, qualifications, and opportunity, but it also supports all its students and staff. This is reflected in everything from the environment itself, to the services available to the students. The campus offers space, light, and connection to the surrounding landscape, something that continues the Crichton tradition of learning in a supportive and healthy environment.

Anne Hill, current member of the board.

“As soon as you walk in, it’s a really welcoming atmosphere, and it’s very calm. It is not like, I mean, I probably worked in, probably about 80, 90 colleges and universities, and that’s quite different. It’s really, really different that you just walk in and you just feel welcome, and it’s accessible. And it’s just such a nice calm, and it’s a very clean place to be, it’s great. And the students are always happy. You always see students kind of smiling or having a laugh or something like that, which is really important.”

From the moment students arrive, they are supported through guidance, advice, and dedicated wellbeing services. Whether it’s help with mental health, financial support, learning needs, or personal challenges, the college recognises that success in education depends on more than just what happens in the classroom. Organisations based on the campus, such as local mental health services, also contribute to a wider network of support across the region, reinforcing the Crichton’s ongoing role in promoting wellbeing.

Kate Glendye, Director of Student Experience and Innovation.

“It has changed dramatically. But for our students, we try and be as accessible and as inclusive as possible. We have lots of different support areas that can help them from an education support team who help them down the learning zone. They can do things like study skills and in-class support. To out student advisors who they deal with a lot with the pastoral welfare element, as well as some funding bits.”

There is also a strong sense of community. From a friendly welcome at reception to student associations, activities, and support networks.

Anne Clark, Curriculum Manager for Education and Access.

“It’s really evident to me with students, the impact that it has, not just in terms of their learning and their success and being able to go and get a job that they want, but actually a bit of sense of belonging somewhere. And I’ve hugely feel that since I’ve come into the college, I feel that it’s such a lovely environment to work at, that you do feel that you belong in something and it’s created its own community. I feel like you can stop and speak to anyone. I practice corridor kindness, where I say hello or smile at every person that I’ve come across. And there’s a reason for that. I think it’s incredibly important. You don’t know where people are in their mental health and encourage all the students in our area and as well as the staff to practice corridor kindness. And what’s lovely to see is that people learn from that and they also practice corridor kindness and ask me how my day’s been as I’m walking past. That’s a great thing. So there’s a huge sense of belonging, which is evident for students and for staff.”

Learning is not just about gaining knowledge. It’s about building confidence and finding a sense of belonging. In many ways, Dumfries and Galloway College continues the work that began here almost 200 years ago by supporting individuals to thrive.