Therapy dogs, lab tours and esteemed speakers in spotlight at Psychology Enrichment Week

Psychology students at Wrexham Glyndwr University (WGU) took part in a range of activities and had the opportunity to network with leaders in the field as part of the department’s annual Enrichment Week. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The aim of the week is to provide students with an opportunity to not only develop key transferrable skills but to also give them opportunities to engage and network with colleagues linked to Psychology, as well as develop links internally within the university. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Taking place at the university’s Wrexham campus, Psychology Enrichment Week got underway with an introduction into animal therapy research, with students getting an opportunity to spend time with a number of therapy dogs – thanks to national charity, Therapy Dogs Nationwide. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Students were also given a tour of the facilities within the Psychology Lab. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Dr Natalie Roch, Principal Lecturer for Psychology at WGU, said: “We’re extremely proud of our annual Psychology Enrichment Week and the wide range of activities offered to students as part of it. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“The goal during the week is to give students a chance to not only develop transferrable skills but to also provide them with opportunities to engage and network with colleagues. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“During a previous visit, the event was commended by our professional body, the British Psychological Society, who praised us for the opportunities it provides students in enhancing essential skills, which are fundamental in developing psychological literacy, as well as for the networking opportunities for learners.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Dr Shubha Sreenivas, Senior Lecturer of Psychology (Biological) at WGU, said: “It was a really brilliant week of activities for the students. A particular highlight was introducing the students to therapy dogs and seeing the instant calming effect the dogs had. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“The therapy dogs are going to actually support some research we’re going to be doing at the university on how they help students’ wellbeing and alleviate anxiety.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

As part of the week, students also listened to talks from a number of guest speakers, including WGU Psychology alumni, Andy Paine on his experience of working as a Clinical Associate in Applied Psychology, Emma Yilanto-James discussed her research within the area of psychology of terrorism, Andy Cairns talked to the students about his MPhil research exploring attitudes towards interracial relationships. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

While, George Leech gave a talk on life after graduation, and Deb Robert gave a talk on the subject ‘Great things don’t come from comfort zones’. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Students also heard from Shilpa Vyas from Young and Mindful Company Interest Company (CIC). ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

There were also activities aimed at building on students’ confidence including career fairs, mock interviews and an enterprise challenge. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Foundation Year Psychology student, Gareth Jones added: “Enrichment Week has been a fantastic experience for us all – I learn something new every day on this course and Enrichment Week has been no exception. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“It’s great to learn and experience away from the classroom and hear from esteemed speakers, it’s also good to undertake some practical elements, including the session on the therapy dogs.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​