Student Spotlight – Finley Murray
Finley has been facing some difficult challenges recently, but despite this, she continues to come into college, work hard, and stay engaged with her studies. She has also continued taking part in activities organised by the Student Association and Youth Work team, showing a positive attitude and determination throughout.
Her resilience, commitment, and willingness to keep pushing forward during a tough time have really stood out, and we are proud to recognise her as this month’s Student in the Spotlight. Well done, Finley!
Mental Health May!
Throughout this month, we have been putting our wellbeing front and centre with a packed calendar of daily activities for Mental Health May. It has been incredibly inspiring to see so many students and staff taking a moment to de-stress, connect, and prioritise their mental health!
We have had a fantastic variety of events running across the campus. A massive highlight was our “Wear it Green” day on Thursday the 14th, which saw the campus buzzing with Therapets, fresh smoothies, fitness sessions, and a wonderful Wellbeing Day hosted by our Hair and Beauty team.
A huge thank you to everyone who got involved over the past few weeks — whether you were getting your hands dirty planting in the new Wellbeing Garden, making badges in the SA, taking part in the Blazepod competitions with Honor, or taking a moment to reflect at Michelle’s Wall of Gratitude.
Final Message from the SA President Honor Gibson
As my time as Student Association President comes to an end in a couple of weeks, I wanted to take a moment to say thank you!
To every student who stopped for a chat, shared ideas, attended events, gave feedback, or simply said hello in the corridor… Thank you for letting me be part of your journey at college.
Getting to know what makes you students tick, hearing your stories, celebrating your successes, and sharing plenty of laughs along the way has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
Your passion, resilience, and willingness to get involved are what makes this college such a special place to study and to work.
I also want to give a huge thank you to the staff who have supported me throughout my two years as President. Through injury, surgery and everything in between, your encouragement, patience, guidance and belief in me have meant more than I can put into words. It has truly been a privilege to work alongside such a dedicated team.
Whatever comes next for me, I know that I will leave here with the skills, memories, and more confidence that were only possible because of the incredible people around me!
SA Officer Election
The Student Association (SA) Officer Elections are officially taking place right now! This is a vital time for our student body to use their voice and choose the leaders who will represent them across our Dumfries and Stranraer campuses.
We want to say a massive good luck to all the brilliant candidates who have put themselves forward this year — your dedication to driving positive change and improving the student experience is what makes DGC so special. To everyone else: make sure you get out there and cast your vote!
College in Pictures
GrimDark Gamers Recognised at Herald Awards!
Congratulations to Chris Connor and Carla Lorimer! Their incredible work running the ‘Grimdark Gamers of Galloway’ was officially recognised at the Herald Education Awards, taking home the Student Wellbeing Award for supporting students in creative ways.
The GrimDark Gamers is a welcoming club dedicated to Dungeons & Dragons, Warhammer 40k, board games, and other Tabletop Roleplaying Games (TTRPGs).
Sessions run after college on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in the Learning Zone. Whether you are a seasoned veteran or an absolute beginner, every student is free to join the campaign and get involved!
Stranraer News
Stranraer Campus Bounces into May!
It hasn’t just been the Dumfries campus getting in on the action this month! Over at our Stranraer campus, students took a well-deserved break from their studies and had an absolute blast when Youth Work Dumfries & Galloway dropped by with some fantastic inflatable activities.
The undisputed highlight of the day was the inflatable gladiator-style battle ring. It was brilliant to see students stepping into the ring, blowing off some steam, and safely battling it out in the sunshine! Taking a break to laugh and connect with peers is exactly what Mental Health May is all about.
A massive thank you to Youth Work for bringing the fun, and to our Stranraer Vice-President, Adam Harvey, for his continued work in ensuring our west-of-region students have fantastic opportunities to engage, connect, and prioritise their wellbeing. We are already looking forward to the next big Stranraer event!
D&G Students at The Oriam
A huge well done to all our students who attended the Scottish Student Sport competition in Edinburgh on 29th April!
While we may not have brought home the trophies, aside from an incredible 3rd place finish for our women’s football team in their first year competing, what truly stood out was the team spirit, positivity, and support shown throughout the day.
You represented us brilliantly — demonstrating respect, resilience, and outstanding sportsmanship from start to finish. We’re incredibly proud of each and every one of you!
Active Campus Activity Timetable
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 – 9:30am Gym | 7 – 9:30am Gym | 7 – 9:30am Gym | 7 – 9:30am Gym | 7 – 9:30am Gym |
| 12:30 – 1:30pm Football | 12:30 – 1:30pm Table Tennis Multisports | 12:30 – 1:30pm Football | 12:30 – 1:30pm Basketball | 12:30 – 1:30pm Multisports |
| 3pm to 5:45pm Basketball | 4:30pm – 7:30pm Gym | 4pm to 5:30pm Badminton | 3pm – 6:30pm Pickleball |
Help & Other Resources
Student Association Resources
Student Support
Welfare Self-Referral Form
Need support? Connect with our Student Adviser team for help with mental health, funding, housing, or general wellbeing. We are here for you!
SAAS Applications for 2026/27
Funding applications for the 2026/27 academic year are officially open. Go to the SAAS website and submit your application early, ensuring your finances are fully in place for the start of your course.
Student Counselling Service
If you feel you would benefit from professional, confidential support, yoy can self-refer to our Student Counselling Service.
*Please note that our counsellors will reach out to you directly via Microsoft Teams, so make sure your Teams notifications are switched on and you check your messages daily!
Student Advisers
Our dedicated Student Advisers — Lindsay Chisholm, Jan Clark, and Tanja Livingstone — are here to support you throughout your college journey. Whether you are seeking advice on student funding, housing, course concerns, or your general wellbeing, the team provides a safe, confidential space to talk.
You can easily reach out to them for support by email
Student Funding
We are dedicated to ensuring that financial worries are never a barrier to your learning! If you are studying at levels 1–6, our Student Funding Team is here to offer clear guidance, advice, and support on a range of options, including:
- FE Bursary & EMA
- Childcare Support (FE & HE)
- Discretionary Funds (Housing & Emergency)
We understand that applying for funding can feel overwhelming. Our team is here to guide you through the eligibility criteria, help complete your applications, and provide updates.
Please note: Students at Level 7 and above must apply for their main funding directly through SAAS.
Get in Touch
- Location: The Point, Room 1012 (directly left of reception)
- Email: studentfunding@dumgal.ac.uk
- Phone: 01387 734 240
- Appointments: Private chats, in-person, phone, or MS Teams, are welcome upon request.
Other Student Help
- Foodbank available in the Student Hub
- Free Soup & Roll available from Canteen at Lunch
- Lunch vouchers are available from Student Advisers for those in need
- Free Breakfast in the Canteen — speak with Canteen Staff
