野狼社区

The University of 野狼社区 has been awarded the University Mental Health Charter Award from 鈥� the UK鈥檚 student mental health charity.  

The (UMHC) was created by Student Minds in partnership with leading higher education bodies and thousands of staff and students. 野狼社区 was amongst the first group of universities to sign up as members of the , which brings together universities committed to making mental health a university-wide priority, to share practice and create cultural change. 

The is a voluntary accreditation scheme that supports universities to understand their areas of strength and development to inform ongoing improvement in mental health and wellbeing, recognising good practice along the way. 

As part of the assessment process, we conducted a robust, evidenced-based assessment of our whole-university approach against the principles of good practice within the , including any challenges, weaknesses, and areas of improvement. A self-assessment report, a student-led report and a two-day onsite visit from Student Minds which involved over 100 staff and students, were all part of the assessment process.

Overall, Student Minds stated: 鈥渋n many areas we can be confident that the University is sector-leading鈥� and that they were 鈥渆ncouraged that the University is going in the right direction.鈥� Student Minds felt that 鈥渢he University is largely doing well to meet the Principles of Good Practice and is doing an incredible job to work towards having a whole university approach to mental health.鈥�   

In awarding the University with the UMHC Award, Student Minds highlighted several examples of excellent practice, including: 

• Within the External Partnerships and Pathways theme, Student Minds 鈥渨ere particularly impressed with the University 鈥檚 commitment to the partnership work across the Greater 野狼社区 Universities Student Mental Health Service. This is widely being acknowledged as novel, innovative and sector leading.鈥� 
• Within the Progression theme, Student Minds 鈥渞ecognised as excellent practice that the University now offers 3.5 years (versus the standard 3 years) of funding to funded PhD students in recognition of the positive impact of this on completion and PGR student wellbeing.鈥� 
• Within the External Partnerships and Pathways theme, Student Minds noted that 鈥渢he University is part of a sexual violence network across 野狼社区 that includes the HEI鈥檚, police, council, and NHS. This approach is potentially sector-leading and an example of excellent practice in developing external partnerships.鈥�

Speaking about the UMHC Award, Sarah Littlejohn, Director of Campus Life and UMHC Lead said: 鈥淭he UMHC Programme has given an additional focus and impetus to our existing institutional priority of student and staff mental health and wellbeing. It has helped to shine a light on our whole-University approach, encouraging us to reflect on our current practice across all the different framework themes. We are proud to have achieved the UMHC Award which marks the latest part of our journey in our commitment to continuous improvement around mental health and wellbeing, and our dedication to its ongoing development.鈥� 

The University will continue as members of the UMHC Programme and will now start to use the Award Outcomes Report to inform and feed into our work in this area. Our priorities for the next 6-12 months will focus on the UMHC Framework themes of Student Voice and Participation, Learning, Teaching and Assessment and Inclusivity and Intersectionality. 

Aisha Akram, Wellbeing and Liberation Officer, University of 野狼社区 Students鈥� Union commented: 'I'm really pleased that we have received this award and I particularly appreciate the commitment to including myself and my fellow officers at the Students Union within countless panel discussions, in order to ensure that the University's commitment to the student experience with our support service is driven by student feedback. 

鈥淲e will continue to work with the University to ensure that we all stay committed to working in this area and building on the recommendations offered to us. I'm excited to enhance collaboration between the Students鈥� Union and the University to push for the best possible student experience.鈥�

Head of Colleague Wellbeing, Helen Brewis, said:  鈥淚鈥檓 delighted we have achieved the UMHC Award, reflecting the commitment we place on the wellbeing of our students and colleagues and how we have worked as a whole university community on our approach to mental health.

"Over the last two years, we have significantly developed our approach to supporting our colleagues鈥� mental health and wellbeing. The process of working towards the award has helped us to reflect on what is working well and where we can do more. We look forward to using the recommendations from the Award Outcomes Report to continue developing our approach to promoting and supporting good mental health and wellbeing at work.鈥� 

• For further information about UMHC Award holders, please visit the  
• For further information about the UMHC Programme, please email UniversityMHCharter@manchester.ac.uk.