Thursday 10-12-2020 - 14:01

One year on from the launch of the University’s Student Led Mental Health and Well-being Strategy, we- the Implementation Group- thought that you might like to hear about some of the many activities that have taken place in 2020 to support students - in spite of- or because of- COVID-and how they fit with our five strategic aims:

Clear Communication

We have given regular bulletins through staff and student newsletters about the support available.

We have created additional webpages for mental health support and COVID support.

Promoting Health and Well-Being

Many diverse events and activities, hosted by Undeb Bangor’s clubs and societies- for example:

TheraTea- A yoga and chat session over Microsoft Teams every Monday 10-12

Wellbeing Wednesdays: weekly challenges reminding students about the importance of looking after their own wellbeing.  Welfare Bags have been available for students in Bar Uno.

Healing Gardens: Gardening sessions at the Healing Gardens, the student-led community Garden at the Fron Heulog, next to St James’ Church on Friddoedd Road.

Online Mindfulness drop-in sessions, run by Counselling Service staff

Building our Community

Connect@Bangor connects students with carefully selected volunteers- wellbeing buddies. The buddies support students as a friend and support with the social aspects of university life.

Walk and Talk society offers weekly walks for students to

meet new people, de-stress and explore Bangor, and teatime chats over Zoom

A range of activities have been run by Chaplaincy staff, who are reaching out pastorally - including online discussion groups, socials and ‘Zoom cafes’. The Catholic Chaplaincy has also been running regular ‘Virtual Pub Nights’ on Fridays and ‘Online Movie Nights’ on a Sunday evening.

Regular online welfare events for International students, including Q and A sessions on promoting good mental health, and surviving lockdown

In academic schools, there have been lots of new activities including:

• Additional, informal online sessions to provide opportunities for new students to get to know each other and their lecturers. (English)
• Arranging quizzes and online movie parties. (Media)
• ‘Study Spas’ for students of the different subject areas within the school.  Weekly ‘Online Cuppa’ in both Welsh and English (History, Philosophy and Social Sciences)
• ‘Catch up corner’ for worried students (Psychology)
• A monthly student newsletter as well as a ‘Cymuned/Community’ Blackboard site. (Law)
• ‘Microsoft Teams’ group for each year, facilitated by the year group tutor. (Business School)
• Creation of a regular ‘padlet’ for students (Music, Drama and Performance)
• Online meetings and events for post graduate research students (across Arts Humanities and Business)

Enhancing our knowledge

Halls mentors are offered additional support for their work through reflective practice meetings

Mental Health First Aid training is now available online for staff supporting students and key people in Undeb Bangor.

Emotional resilience training is being rolled out by Undeb Bangor.

Counselling staff in Student Services have undergone extensive training to deliver therapies online, which has been available during lockdowns and beyond

Getting help when it’s needed

There is an online group discussion on Microsoft Teams, every Wednesday at 1pm with the Mental Health Advisors, to talk about all aspects of well-being.

Students can also speak privately with The Mental Health Advisors during the Drop-in Sessions between 2pm and 3.30pm every Wednesday afternoon

Speedier help in academic schools- for example, Psychology offer emergency tutor meetings

Counselling Service continues to offer same day bookable support sessions online, and has recently provided out of hours support in evenings and weekends

Current HEFCW funded projects include safeguarding, additional support for students during the COVID pandemic, and the development of a welsh medium menta l heath website, soon to be launched

If you have any more examples of good practice, success stories- or areas that need attention, we would love to hear from you. Contact Katie Tew on katie.tew@undebbangor.com