The Healthy University Project Where we have been.. And where are we going next? Helen Ryall and Louise Gourmelen.

The Healthy University Project

Where we have been.. And where are we going next?

Helen Ryall and Louise Gourmelen

Our Aim

To actively promote and deliver tangible health and wellbeing benefits for the University community through increasing the engagement of staff and

students in health and wellbeing

Pilot year – build the evidence base for actionFocus on studentsFunded until July 2015 via Student Experience

Project and hosted by the Centre for Sport & Exercise

The plan for 2014-15

Develop the evidence base

Develop some key messages

Test and evaluate some different

ways of working

Develop the evidence base

• For example:– Assets map – what good practice is already

happening– Find out from students what they think a healthy

university should look like – cartoonist, photo competition

– Research what students current lifestyles are like

Some examples from Fresher’s Fair

And more ….

And more …

And more….

Photo competition

Some winning photos

‘Environment category’: “We are lucky to study at university where green and open spaces are perfectly integrated and connected within the campus, so step outside and enjoy it!”

‘Connectedness’ Category

“The past few years spent in Edinburgh University have given Me the most wonderful people I have ever known”

‘Lifestyle’ category

“The University's location makes it perfect to commute on foot or by bike, often crossing the Meadows – the perfect place to relax on a sunny day”

‘Fun’ category

“Another year at school has begun in the most classically Scottish form, a Ceilidh. For a healthy life it’s essential to get involved and in my

opinion attend at least one ceilidh while you’re here”

Interested in more?Have a look at our Facebook page HealthyU

Develop key messages

• For example:– Incorporate health into existing forms of

communication (e.g. newsletters, websites)– Create additional forms of communication (e.g.

facebook and Twitter)– Develop ongoing dialogue with staff and students

about how the HU project can add value

healthyU HealthyUniEd

Test and evaluate different ways of working

• For example:– Develop an exercise referral scheme: The SPA

programme (for students who are inactive/ mildly-moderately depressed)

– Celebrate and share existing work that already promotes health (e.g. healthy halls, peer mentoring) at local, national and international levels

So where do we go after July 15?

• More of the same but more development work with a focus on students?

• Focus on students AND staff to demonstrate potential impact of the healthy setting approach?

Any questions?

Helen RyallHealthy University project [email protected]