Future shaping
The Toolkit includes downloadable case studies form part of the National Healthy Universities Toolkit – which offer ‘real life’ examples of Healthy Universities activity implemented in universities across the country. These can be accessed using a searchable database, categorised according to topic, method and population group. If have a case study that you would like to contribute to the toolkit please complete the short template and return it to healthyuniversities@uclan.ac.uk.
Since 2013 a new strategy has been in place to significantly reduce car use to campus and promote active travel and bus use. This has involved a parking exclusion zone for students that live in Bristol and a big investment in cycle infrastructure and promotion.
With alcohol abuse and the dangers caused by excessive drinking a concern among young adults, especially university students, the Healthy University Group at the University of the West of England-Bristol (UWE Bristol) aim to promote responsible drinking and alcohol awareness. The university have developed a ‘Have a Safe Night Out’ campaign, as well as online resources and the Healthy University Group are working to raise their profile and objectives, including responsible drinking, at a variety of student events.
Food is an issue that clearly highlights the interconnectedness of health and sustainable development agendas. UWE have developed a whole-system approach ensuring that they focus on multi-pronged aspects of food and health including procurement, catering, retail, education and research. This case study highlights what has been achieved, what is still to do and the challenges a comprehensive food and health strategy presents for universities
This initiative encourages local healthy food market traders to come onto the university campus to provide a service directed at students, staff and the general public where appropriate. The key components are creating and maintaining links with external service providers; negotiating internally regarding the implementation of the initiative; setting up of service level agreements; partnership working to benefit the health of students; and monitoring and evaluation. The markets-on-campus initiative was introduced at NTU in 2007 and continues to go from strength to strength, maintaining its popularity with students and staff. Developments include give free banana’s out during exam period, running offers all year round and giving out NTU recipe books etc.
A staff health event was run to encourage staff to consider the importance of their own health, identify risk and respond to these accordingly. NHS, council and voluntary organisations provided screening and awareness stands and staff were free to attend throughout the day. Topics covered included Alcohol, Blood Pressure, Body Composition, Cancer, Cholesterol, Glucose, Smoking, Stress and Stroke. We used interactive tools to create personalised information to motivate change. The first event was well attended with over 220 staff, and follow up screening covered a further 100. 49 staff members identified health problems and have received follow up service.
This is a case study describing the development of a Healthy University working group on Healthy and Sustainable Food. The drivers and partners involved and the development of an action plan to take work forward within UCLan. The working group brought together colleagues from across UCLan, the SU and external partners to build on existing practice and to work collaboratively on a range of objectives that include procurement, affordable and healthier food, promotion of healthy eating and food safety. The working group continues to be an important part of the UCLan Healthy University initiative.
The Healthy Campus Community (HCC) initiative at Simon Fraser University (SFU) was launched in early 2012 with the intention of taking a systemic, campus wide approach to enhance health and well-being. The initiative links health with learning and student satisfaction, and therefore integrates health into the core business of higher education. The initiative draws heavily on healthy settings literature, and emphasizes the need to work collaboratively and strategically in creating campus environments that support well-being. The initiative is evidence based, and a number of diverse areas for action were identified through a literature review, including a review of best practices in workplaces, elementary and secondary school settings that could be adapted and expanded to the higher education context.
The University of Chester, together with Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England, has developed a mental health training course tailored to the HE sector. This case study looks at the pilot study created by the University and MHFA England, which contributed to the design and delivery of the new of Higher Education (HE) Mental Health First Aid (HE MHFA) training course.
In January 2018, a staff fitness tracker challenge was initiated at Keele University. Two departments from the University at a time compete against one another over a two week period, before step totals are compared. The total compared is the average steps per person meaning departments can all take part, regardless of size. Fitness trackers were invested in to support the scheme, while staff could also use their own. To date, the project has had ten departments competing from across the University.
A wellbeing map was created at Keele University which shows staff and students where they can be active, take time out, eat well, connect with others and be supported on campus. There is also further information included about a variety of health and wellbeing initiatives on offer by the university and within the local community.
The event was designed to encourage people to explore non-medical strategies for self-managing wellbeing and was aimed at students at the University of Brighton. The aim was to reach people who are experiencing stress and emotional distress. The event helped to inform students of innovative approaches to self help and the maintenance of recovery for problems with emotional distress, depression and anxiety. A particular focus was on the New Economics Foundation’s Five-Ways to Wellbeing: connect; be active; take notice; keep learning; give. The event involved the delivery of talks and workshops about mental wellbeing, allowing students to gather information and ask questions at the exhibition stands and poster displays. Events included an IAPT session on Stress and Anxiety offering CBT approaches to self help, and a Mental First Aid session. Approximately 200 people attended the event which has helped to de-stigmatise mental health and to spotlight wellbeing awareness.
Health & Wellbeing, Marketing and Student’s Union staff delivered a Mental Health Awareness Week. It included a Health & Wellbeing fair, free hugs, Wellbeing workshops and film screenings. The highlight was a sell-out evening event at which Ruby Wax joined Professor Jim Al-Khalili to talk about her own experiences. Afterwards, the Vice-Chancellor and the Students’ Union Vice-President for Welfare signed an organisational pledge to tackle mental health discrimination. Staff and students also took the opportunity to make a personal pledge on boards situated across campus. The week received overwhelmingly positive feedback on Social Media.
