AoC Mental Health and Wellbeing Conference 2026

Peter Mayhew-Smith has worked in lifelong learning sector since 1988. He has worked at Lewisham College 1998-2010, first as Head of School, then Director of Faculty and finally as Vice-Principal Quality and Curriculum. He became became Principal of Kingston College in April 2010 and developed Federation with Carshalton College, implemented in 2012. In 2017  he became Group CEO of merged South Thames Colleges Group, which was graded ‘good’ by Ofsted in February 2020. He leads the South London Mental Health Trailblazer across six London Boroughs since 2019 and the South London sub-regional response to London LSIP.

Sarah Price is an A-Level Psychology teacher at the City of Oxford College and the voluntary Chair of the MindGreen Committee. MindGreen is Activate Learning’s wellbeing and inclusion fund, supporting student and staff mental health and widening participation. Sarah is a Chartered Psychologist registered with the British Psychological Society and holds a Master of Science in the Psychology of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Prior to joining the education sector, Sarah worked as a Health Advisor for South Central Ambulance Service. Over the past decade, she has dedicated herself to studying mental health and applying psychological knowledge in service of her community. Sarah was a founding committee member of MindGreen in July 2023 and has served as Chair since November 2024. In her role as Chair, Sarah ensures the committee is regularly briefed on the psychology of giving back and volunteering. She also created the MindGreen Youth and Staff Ambassador pathways, rooted in the psychological benefits of volunteering as a mental health strategy, supporting wellbeing through purposeful community contribution.

Pete Reynolds is a member of the Executive Team at Activate Learning, where he plays a key leadership role across apprenticeship delivery, employer engagement and learner development. With a background in teaching, coaching and leadership, Pete brings a strong focus on people, culture and performance. He holds a BA (Hons) in Post-Compulsory Education from Oxford Brookes University and has worked extensively across Further Education, supporting both learners and staff to achieve their potential. Pete is a founding member of MindGreen, a social enterprise focused on improving mental health awareness and support within education and the workplace. He is also a qualified Mental Health First Aider and an Activate Learning Wellbeing Ally, actively contributing to initiatives that promote positive mental health, early intervention and supportive environments for learners and colleagues. He is particularly passionate about the role Further Education can play in supporting wellbeing, helping individuals build resilience, and preparing people not just for work, but for life.

The Resilience team at Derby College offer person-centred 1:1 sessions for students and apprentices of all ages who struggle with anxiety, low mood, depression, panic, worry and sleep problems. Students are supported to develop practical strategies and techniques based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, so they are able to help themselves. The team also provide Resilience workshops on different themes to groups of students which are booked by their lecturer. We are a relatively new and expanding team and find that demand for our services is increasing year on year.

The Resilience team at Derby College offer person-centred 1:1 sessions for students and apprentices of all ages who struggle with anxiety, low mood, depression, panic, worry and sleep problems. Students are supported to develop practical strategies and techniques based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, so they are able to help themselves. The team also provide Resilience workshops on different themes to groups of students which are booked by their lecturer. We are a relatively new and expanding team and find that demand for our services is increasing year on year.

The Resilience team at Derby College offer person-centred 1:1 sessions for students and apprentices of all ages who struggle with anxiety, low mood, depression, panic, worry and sleep problems. Students are supported to develop practical strategies and techniques based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, so they are able to help themselves. The team also provide Resilience workshops on different themes to groups of students which are booked by their lecturer. We are a relatively new and expanding team and find that demand for our services is increasing year on year.