The University Mental Health Charter (MHC) was created by Student Minds through consultation with thousands of university staff and students. The MHC Framework provides a set of evidence-informed principles to support universities to adopt a whole-university approach to mental health and wellbeing, create cultural change and demonstrate excellent practice.

The Charter Framework is divided into 18 themes, grouped under the Work, Learn, Live and Support domains:

The University is in the process of working towards the University Mental Health Charter Award to achieve recognition for our excellent practice and support ongoing improvement. As part of that process we have undertaken an audit of our existing provision against the guidance in the Mental Health Charter. This audit is now being reviewed by the University Mental Health Charter Working Group and it’s sub-groups which are aligned with the domains identified in the charter. The sub-groups along with the Domain Theme Leads are listed below:

Leadership – Ruki Heritage (Director of Student Experience) and Sarah Thompson (Student Experience Policy and Projects Lead Manager)

Work – led by Clive Harper (Interim Assistant Director OD, Culture and Inclusion) and Clio Spanou (Head of Academic and Learning Development)

Learn – led by Charles Birtwisle; Caroline Reid and John Reynolds (Faculty Associate Deans for Student Experience)

Live – led by John Hodson (Interim Assistant Director of Facilities – Campus Services)

Support – led by Jon Stanley (Head of Student Support)

The Working Group have been leading on the development of an action plan to ensure the University is meeting the guidance outlined in the charter. This includes working with students and staff in developing our provision and evaluating the services to ensure they are effective.

We will submit our Self-Assessment submission for the Award to Students Minds in February 2024 which will be followed by an on-site visit in April 2024 where the Student Minds Assessment Team will have the opportunity to speak to staff and students to enable them to better understand the University’s approach, our strengths, examples of good practice and challenges we face.

The University is engaging with a diverse range of staff and students across the University, including the Students’ Union, with a view to capturing where we are now, reflecting on how we deliver what we do and identifying where we can improve.

There are many ways that staff and students can get involved. Whether this is by student and staff surveys, student and staff groups, the staff and students' unions, training courses, workshops, and other activities. 

You can also get in touch with one of our Domain Theme Leads or Helen Randall (Project Manager) if you would like to contribute to improving the mental health and wellbeing of our community.