Individual
Joined-up support for students
With our Wellbeing in the Curriculum (WiC) project, we looked at how an integrated, programme-specific approach could better support student wellbeing – by better connecting students to existing wellbeing support and resources.
From September 2021 to December 2022, we ran a test-and-learn pilot across four foundation and undergraduate programmes. Four large programmes, with a total of 800 students. It was an invaluable pilot, and we learned a lot.
For one, there’s close agreement – among students and staff – and a clear need for us as university to provide wellbeing-focused initiatives. And, specifically, to integrate wellbeing within the curricula, and tailor it to match the needs of each specific programme.
Here are some of the other key findings and takeaways:
Staff and students appreciate and value our wellbeing support and options.
We must continue to look at the workload of staff and students, and how we can better support them. This will be a focus going forward.
We also saw a real need for a common, consistent language on wellbeing. Clarity is so important.
With these learnings front of mind, we’re now starting to work with colleagues from across the university to look at how we can purposefully – effectively – build wellbeing into programme design.
Starting as we mean to go on
We designed our Starting Well programme to do just that: to make sure that everyone who comes to work with UWE Bristol has a positive, consistent experience from their very first day – from before their first day even.
From job application to completion of probation, we want people to have an experience that’s in line with our values and our ambition as a great place to work. This will help us to continue attracting, developing, and retaining the very best talent – locally, nationally, globally.
So, how will we measure this?
- Quality of candidates/recruitment decisions.
- Diversity metric realised (from applicant to appointment).
- Improved experience for prospective and current employees.
- Improved retention (as per agreed metric).
- Level of competence/confidence in the role (at probation).
- People Manager fully competent and confident in their role to create a positive and engaging environment.
In Autumn 2022, we piloted the project in the College of Health, Science and Society (CHSS). Following an insight and aims review, and additional scoping, we’re aiming to launch Starting Well university-wide in Autumn 2023.
Support when and where it’s needed most
This year, we supported 83 UWE Bristol students with mental health and wellbeing barriers through our Living Well programme.
Living Well activities help students to support themselves and build valuable friendships and social connections.
In 2022–23, we saw an increase of feelings of belonging and worthwhileness among students who took part. We’ve also seen an average increase on the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale scores. This indicates clinically significant improvements in attendees’ mental wellbeing.
We’ve also expanded Living Well placement opportunities. We’re now working with BSc Occupational Therapy and BA English Literature, and providing workplace opportunities for Illustration and Graphic Design students through New Wave, the new UWE Bristol creative agency.
Living Well was recognised by The Centre for Transforming Access and Student Outcomes in Higher Education (TASO) as one of five projects with HE to identify and use effective practice to support student mental health.
We’ll continue collaborating with TASO. Through their Student Mental Health Evidence Hub which our Living Well programme is part of, we’ll continue to share information and resources to support HE providers nationally.
Music for everyone’s ears – with the Centre for Music
The Centre for Music (CfM) is an exclusive facility for all UWE Bristol students and staff. Everyone’s welcome. You can join any of our playing and singing groups. Take advantage of our rehearsal rooms and studio space. Or just come along to sessions or music lessons. You just need to be a registered member.
In 2022–23, the centre’s weekly offer included 50+ hours of access to facilities, 12 different music teaching sessions and 7 professionally led groups, plus events and masterclasses.
The centre saw an average term time occupancy of 85%, with over 1,050 students engaged in music-making activities and 340 students being ‘highly engaged’ and participating in activities at least fortnightly.
Today, the CfM has over 2,000 registered members – with 1,827 students, 108 staff, and 140 alumni and community members. That’s a 400% increase on membership numbers since 2017, and 15% up on the previous academic year. Here are some of the headlines from the 2022–23 CfM member survey:
72%
of respondents ‘feel supported’ by the CfM
74%
of survey respondents agree they ‘feel at home’ at the CfM
72%
of respondents ‘feel supported’ by the CfM
74%
of survey respondents agree they ‘feel at home’ at the CfM
The Head of CfM also carried out a qualitative research project with nine students. They wanted to see how engaging with the CfM helped with a student’s emotional wellbeing (mood improvement), social wellbeing (sense of belonging) and self-actualisation (sense of doing something meaningful). Here are some of the responses from students.
"I needed a release… When you’re stressed from writing essays all the time it’s just what you need. It’s just a really good balance in your life basically."
"There is definitely a community around the space. You get students from all corners of the university that want to come and play music."
"It’s definitely a key part of my uni experience so far."
"I needed a release… When you’re stressed from writing essays all the time it’s just what you need. It’s just a really good balance in your life basically."
"There is definitely a community around the space. You get students from all corners of the university that want to come and play music."
"It’s definitely a key part of my uni experience so far."
The CfM continues to attract a diverse range of students too. Of the 1,827 students who registered in 2022–23, 52% were male students, 43% female and 5% other. 39% were global majority students.
MOVE and get active – with the Centre for Sport
MOVE is UWE Bristol Sport’s flagship Health and Wellbeing activity programme, delivered alongside the Students’ Union. MOVE is free for all UWE Bristol students, while staff pay a reduced monthly rate, to get them active and feeling good.
In 2022–23, MOVE had over 5,500 registered students, making it the largest physical activity programme here at UWE Bristol.
Every week, MOVE provides over 100 activity sessions, across our campuses and accessible venues all over Bristol. We’ve had incredible feedback, clearly showing the positive difference the programme makes to our students’ physical and mental health.
Students have told us they feel happier, have more energy and clearer minds. They also talk about the social benefits of MOVE, finding new friendship groups and making new connections.
By working with various teams and services here at UWE Bristol, MOVE typically operates at 95% occupancy during the academic year.
The Centre for Sport designs and runs activities not just for MOVE, but also for SU sports clubs, societies and performance athletes. The Centre for Sport supports local schools and community groups too, including the Cabot Learning Federation and Community of Purpose.
Beyond helping our students to get active, have fun and feel good, the Centre for Sport is also home to several of our Performance Sports teams – and they’ve excelled this year.
In 2022–23, our American Football, Men’s and Women’s Squash and Men’s Basketball teams all won their respective British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) leagues.
Our American Football team was also crowned National Champions for the second year in a row, and nominated for the prestigious BUCS national team of the year award.
Our Performance programme now supports over 100 performance athletes, with over 40 having international honours and representation.