# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Click here to read an important statement for suppliers

With effect from Monday 23rd March 2020, all College sites will be closed with the exception of the Humanities, Arts and Health campus located in Out Risbygate Street Bury St Edmunds (IP33 3RL) which will be open from 09:00 until 17:00 hours Monday- Friday.

A skeleton staff team will continue to operate during these hours at this location and therefore deliveries must be taken to the University Studies Centre on the site where a temporary reception has been established. It is the College's intention to continue to operate as best as it can in these unusual circumstances and therefore it is intended to continue to issue purchase orders to suppliers.

In the event that government measures are extended to a complete lockdown, the College may then have to close its premises completely and deliveries will not be possible.

Please watch the website for further details of this because as you will appreciate it is a fast changing situation. For any queries please send these directly to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

West Suffolk College

Out Risbygate
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk
IP33 3RL

(Sat nav postcode: IP33 3TT - see directions, below.)

Opening hours

Monday to Thursday: 8am to 9pm Friday: 8am to 5:30pm

Ask us a question

01284 716 354

🍀 Message for Students of West Suffolk College about gradings, exams, assessments and coursework

Click here to read the key message

Dear students,

As you continue with your second week of virtual learning, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to you all for the phenomenal way in which you have responded to this transition. I do not underestimate just how big of a change this has been for you all and I wanted to say well done on the progress made so far; and for continuing to put an impressive amount of effort into your work.

When it comes to the grading of exams and assessments, we are working with our awarding bodies as normal and it is therefore essential for you to continue with and to submit coursework because this will be used when determining your final grades. As soon as we have the final confirmation of how grades are going to be awarded for your course, your Course Director will be in touch.

If you have any questions around specific coursework or assessments please do contact your tutors directly. If you need any extra support please contact your Personal Support Tutor or a member of our welfare team on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and they will get back to you as soon as they can.

Thank you for your patience so far and once again a huge well done to you all for making this transition so successfully.

Best wishes,

Colin Shaw

📝 Admissions Message (if you're looking to apply for a course)

Click here to a read the latest from our Admissions Team (if you have applied, or if you're looking to apply for a course)

The Eastern Colleges Group, comprising of Abbeygate Sixth Form College specialising in A Levels, One Sixth Form College specialising in A Level and Vocational qualifications and West Suffolk College Sixth Form specialising in vocational qualifications alongside the West Suffolk College Apprenticeship service; are committed to guaranteeing every Year 11 student a place for your Post 16 education from September 2020.

We know that everyone is an individual, with their own dreams and aspirations and our purpose is to have you at the heart of everything we do. We want to reassure you that regardless of what you would like to study, be it A Levels, Vocational qualifications or an apprenticeship we have the expertise to support you to ensure you are enrolled on the programme that is tailored to you and your needs.

We want you to have absolute assurance in these uncertain times.

For any queries around applying or if you need support with an application, please contact our admissions teams on:

Abbeygate Sixth College: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
One Sixth Form College: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
West Suffolk College: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Apprenticeships: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Our Careers Teams are also available to offer 1:1 Careers Advice and Guidance support via email:

Abbeygate Sixth Form College: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
One Sixth Form College: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
West Suffolk College: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

01284 716 319

01284 716 246

01284 716 341

01284 716 232

01284 716 259

01284 716 233

# data[].attributes.headline
Contact The Careers and Connections Service at WSC

# data[].attributes.subject
Contact The Careers and Connections Service at WSC

# data[].attributes.body
email_ careersadvice@wsc.ac.uk

# data[].attributes.headline
Enrol Remotely for your next Qualification.....

# data[].attributes.subject
Enrol Remotely for your next Qualification.....

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Check out our latest events!

Open Days

Our Open Days are the perfect way to find out what it's like to study with us. Sign up for one of our dedicate college or university and professional development open days today.

To browse videos, click the icon in the top right corner.

West Suffolk College is one of the country's leading further education and apprenticeship providers. Our apprenticeship results have consistently remained above the national average. We offer many degrees, HNCs and HNDs at our focused and inclusive University Studies Centre. We have around 13,000 students including nearly 2,000 apprentices studying with us. We have three campuses in Bury St Edmunds including the Built Environment Campus. Our learning centres include Bury St Edmunds, Haverhill, Ipswich, Sudbury, Thetford. We've worked with 1000+ employers over the last year. A fantastic 97% of students go on to further education, employment or voluntary work.

For more information, ask us a question or call 01284 701 301. For term dates, click here.

Proud to work in partnership with

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
West Suffolk College - Diplomas, Degrees, Apprenticeships & T Levels

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
West Suffolk College is one of the country's leading further education and apprenticeship providers. Our apprenticeship results have consistently remained above the national average. We offer many degrees, HNCs and HNDs at our focused and inclusive University Studies Centre. We have around 13,000 students including nearly 2,000 apprentices studying with us.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Providing specialist support for families facing dementia | Dementia UK

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Dementia UK is a charity that provides Admiral Nurses for families affected by dementia. Call our Dementia Helpline to find out how we can support you.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
It's normal for your memory to be affected by stress, tiredness, certain illnesses and medicines. But if you're becoming increasingly forgetful, particularly if you're over the age of 65, it's a good idea to talk to a GP about the early signs of dementia.

Memory loss can be annoying if it happens occasionally, but if it's affecting your daily life, or it's worrying you, or someone you know, you should get help from a GP.

Dementia is not only about memory loss. It can also affect the way you speak, think, feel and behave.

It's also important to remember that dementia is not a natural part of ageing.

What is dementia

Dementia is a syndrome (a group of related symptoms) associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning.

There are many different causes of dementia, and many different types.

People often get confused about the difference between Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia and, together with vascular dementia, makes up the majority of cases.

Symptoms of dementia

Dementia symptoms may include problems with:

memory loss

thinking speed

mental sharpness and quickness

language, such as using words incorrectly, or trouble speaking

understanding

judgement

mood

movement

difficulties doing daily activities

People with dementia can lose interest in their usual activities, and may have problems managing their behaviour or emotions.

They may also find social situations difficult and lose interest in relationships and socialising.

Aspects of their personality may change, and they may lose empathy (understanding and compassion).

A person with dementia may see or hear things that other people do not (hallucinations).

Because people with dementia may lose the ability to remember events, or not fully understand their environment or situations, it can seem as if they're not telling the truth or are wilfully ignoring problems.

As dementia affects a person's mental abilities, they may find planning and organising difficult. Maintaining their independence may also become a problem.

A person with dementia will usually need help from friends or relatives, including help with making decisions.

The symptoms of dementia usually become worse over time. In the late stage of dementia, people will not be able to take care of themselves and may lose their ability to communicate.

Read more about the symptoms of dementia.

Why it's important to get a diagnosis

Although there is no cure for dementia at the moment, an early diagnosis means its progress can be slowed down in some cases, so the person may be able to maintain their mental function for longer.

A diagnosis helps people with dementia get the right treatment and support. It can also help them, and the people close to them, to prepare for the future.

With treatment and support, many people are able to lead active, fulfilled lives with dementia.

Read more about how dementia is diagnosed.

How common is dementia

Research shows there are more than 850,000 people in the UK who have dementia. One in 14 people over the age of 65 have dementia, and the condition affects 1 in 6 people over 80.

The number of people with dementia is increasing because people are living longer. It is estimated that by 2025, the number of people with dementia in the UK will be more than 1 million.
Further information:
Sign up for Dementia Information Service emails.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It's normal for your memory to be affected by stress, tiredness, certain illnesses and medicines. But if you're becoming increasingly forgetful, particularly if you're over the age of 65, it's a good idea to talk to a GP about the early signs of dementia.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Dementia is a growing challenge. As the population ages and people live for longer, it has become one of the most important health and care issues facing the world. In England it is estimated that around 676,000 people have dementia. In the whole of the UK, the number of people with dementia is estimated at 850,000.

Dementia mainly affects older people, and after the age of 65, the likelihood of developing dementia roughly doubles every five years. However, for some dementia can develop earlier, presenting different issues for the person affected, their carer and their family.

There are around 540,000 carers of people with dementia in England. It is estimated that one in three people will care for a person with dementia in their lifetime. Half of them are employed and it's thought that some 66,000 people have already cut their working hours to care for a family member, whilst 50,000 people have left work altogether.

There is a considerable economic cost associated with the disease estimated at £23 billion a year, which is predicted to triple by 2040. This is more than the cost of cancer, heart disease and stroke.

Our vision

Dementia is a key priority for both NHS England and the Government. In February 2015 the Prime Minister launched his Challenge on Dementia 2020, which set out to build on the achievements of the Prime Minister's Challenge on Dementia 2012-2015. It sets out NHS England's aim that by 2020 we are:

the best country in the world for dementia care and support for individuals with dementia, their carers and families to live; and

the best place in the world to undertake research into dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Some of the key aspirations of this vision are:

Equal access to diagnosis for everyone

GPs playing a lead role in ensuring coordination and continuity of care for people with dementia

Every person diagnosed with dementia having meaningful care following their diagnosis

All NHS staff having received training on dementia appropriate to their role.

One of the 10 priorities identified by NHS England as part of the Five Year Forward View is to upgrade the quality of care and access to mental health and dementia services.

Our partners

Other organisations and sectors are crucial to helping NHS England deliver improvements to services for those with dementia and their carers. We are working in collaboration with: Alzheimer's Society, Public Health England, Department of Health, ADASS, Care UK, clinical commissioning groups, GP practices, Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych), amongst other stakeholders to develop NHS England's five year transformation plan for people with dementia.

Our work

Developing an access and waiting time for dementia so people with dementia have equal access to diagnosis as for other conditions; setting the national average for an initial assessment at six weeks. This work will be undertaken through an expert reference group of key stakeholders including people living with dementia and carers.

Achieving and maintaining the dementia diagnosis rate. NHS England agreed a national ambition for diagnosis rates that two thirds of the estimated number of people with dementia in England should have a diagnosis with appropriate post-diagnostic support. This was achieved in November 2015. We will continue to monitor progress to ensure that the ambition is maintained and we will address the underlying variation in diagnosis rate at the CCG level through the provision of Intensive Support.

We have agreed that the dementia diagnosis rate will be included in the CCG Assessment Framework.

Post diagnostic care and support. As there has been substantial progress on diagnosis, NHS England will focus on improving post-diagnostic support. During 2015/16 we will:

Propose a measure of effectiveness of post-diagnostic care in sustaining independence and improving quality of life.

Use financial incentives to support improvements in post-diagnostic support, for example ensuring that people with dementia havea care planon discharge from secondary care services; and increasing the health and wellbeing support offered to carers of patients diagnosed with dementia

Development and publication of a 5-year transformation implementation plan called the `Well Pathway for Dementia` which covers preventing well, living well, supporting well and dying well.

The Well Pathway for Dementia

Response to Alzheimer's Society from Simon Stevens

In January 2016 Jeremy Hughes CBE (Chief Executive, Alzheimer's Society) wrote to Simon Stevens (CEO, NHS England) regarding its new campaign, Fix Dementia Care.

In his reply, Simon Stevens talks of making all NHS funded care to be as good as the best. Read Simon Stevens response to the Alzheimer's Society.

Resources

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Dementia is a growing challenge. As the population ages and people live for longer, it has become one of the most important health and care issues facing the world. In England it is estimated that around 676,000 people have dementia. In the whole of the UK, the number of people with dementia is estimated at 850,000.