West Lancashire College hosts influential ‘Cheese + Pickle’ Workshop

West Lancashire College recently welcomed Loudspeaker back to campus, an empowering company at the heart of encouraging young people to use their voice.

The ‘Cheese + Pickle’ workshop, influenced by the award-winning TV show Adolescence, was designed to be reflective and thought-provoking, exploring key themes including healthy relationships, misogyny and harmful behaviour, respect and boundaries, and peer culture alongside personal responsibility. Students at the College engaged in meaningful discussion with the Loudspeaker team, which provided a strong emphasis on creating a safe and respectful college community.

By the end of the sessions, students developed a clear understanding of healthy relationships, as well as the importance of respect and boundaries in real-life situations. They were able to recognise different forms of misogyny and harmful behaviour, ranging from everyday banter to more serious instances. The session also encouraged students to reflect on how language, attitudes, and peer culture can contribute to harm.

Wendy Bennett, Assistant Principal said, “As a college, our priority is to ensure that all students understand the importance of respect, healthy relationships, and personal responsibility. The ‘Cheese + Pickle’ workshops have played a vital role in encouraging reflection, challenging harmful attitudes, and empowering students to help create a safe and inclusive college environment. It has been a pleasure to work in collaboration with Loudspeaker to deliver this important programme across NCG colleges.” 

The College’s work with Loudspeaker forms an important part of the NCG Guarantee, equipping students with the skills they need beyond their courses to prepare them for their next steps. By introducing sessions such as the ‘Cheese + Pickle’ tutorial strand, the College ensures that students are supported not only academically, but also in becoming confident, responsible individuals who can contribute positively to their communities and navigate real-world challenges with resilience and understanding.