Crewe's Cheshire College – South & West has announced an "exciting" new partnership with Belong Villages, a pioneering not-for-profit organisation redefining dementia care.

This local collaboration marks a significant step towards enhancing education and career opportunities in the health and social care sector.

Belong, with a site on Brookhouse Drive, has been at the forefront of innovative dementia care, integrating services, housing, and community within their award-winning Belong villages. 

Through work experience at Belong villages, apprenticeships, and T-Level placements, Cheshire College students will gain practical insight into industry best practices while developing essential skills (Cheshire College).

The partnership journey began in 2024, with an initial visit to Belong Chester Village, where discussions focused on exploring collaboration opportunities.

This was followed by a site visit to the college's Crewe campus on Dane Bank Avenue in July, to further shape the partnership and identify areas for mutual development.

In August, the two organisations began refining tailored learning programmes, setting the stage for the integration of specialised training solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of the health and social care sector.

In January 2025, a new training space was unveiled at the Crewe campus, designed to replicate Belong's household care settings.

The space provides students with hands-on training in a realistic care setting, allowing them to experience firsthand the high standards of care that Belong is known for.

By mirroring the layout and functionality of a real Belong household, students will develop practical skills and a deep understanding of best practices in person-centred care before entering the workforce.

In January 2025, a new training space was unveiled Cheshire College's Crewe campus, designed to replicate Belong's household care settings (Cheshire College).

This collaboration aims to provide students with hands-on experience in dementia care, bridging the gap between education and employment. 

Deputy Principal and Deputy CEO of Cheshire College, Helen Nellist, said: "This represents a remarkable opportunity for students to engage with industry-leading dementia care models, develop essential skills, and contribute meaningfully to the care sector."

"By working with Belong, we are shaping the future of healthcare education and ensuring our students are workforce ready."

Through work experience at Belong villages, apprenticeships, and T-Level placements, students will gain practical insight into industry best practices while developing essential skills. 

Tailored learning courses will be designed to align with sector demands, improving employability, while additional initiatives such as guest speaker sessions, curriculum enrichment, and digital projects will further enhance the student learning experience.

Belong, with a site on Brookhouse Drive, has been at the forefront of innovative dementia care, integrating services, housing, and community within their award-winning Belong villages (Ryan Parker).

Learning and development manager at Belong Villages, Brendan Conlon, added: "This partnership is an exciting opportunity to bridge the gap between education and industry.

"By working closely with Cheshire College, we can create a pipeline of skilled professionals who are equipped to provide the highest standard of care."

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