17 Students’ unions join Student Minds SUs demonstrating their commitment to improving staff and student mental health

Student Minds are delighted to welcome the new 2021/22 cohort of the Student Minds SUs Programme, consisting of 17 Students’ Unions who are demonstrating commitment to improving support for staff and student mental health in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Student Minds SUs Programme has been co-created with 11 SU members since its launch in 2019.  The Programme is centred around our Mentally Healthy SUs framework, which outlines how SUs can create  a whole-union approach to mental health and wellbeing. It includes 10 good practice principles around campaigning for positive change, working with universities and local partners, co-producing approaches with students, creating environments for staff and sabbatical officers to thrive, and more. The Student Minds SUs Programme brings together Students’ Unions committed to becoming leaders in mental health, who are ready to challenge current ways of working and creating cultural change. 

Students’ unions on the Programme form part of a UK-wide practice sharing network with access to events, additional training and support sessions and opportunities to come together to improve their approach to student and staff mental health. 

Leigh Spanner,  Interim Head of Engagement shared “Students’ Unions play an essential role in advocating for students and creating positive, welcoming and safe university communities. They were invaluable in supporting students during the Covid-19 pandemic. With the mental health of students and young people being disproportionately impacted over the past 18 months, it is vital that Students’ Unions continue to build on this great work, to learn from one another and to make mental health a priority right across higher education.”

We are excited to be working with the following 17 Students’ Unions to create cultural changes in their unions and on their campuses:

• ​​Beds SU - University of Bedfordshire Students’ Union
• Brunel Students
• Bucks Students' Union
• Hertfordshire Students' Union
• Hull University Students' Union
• Leeds Beckett Students' Union
• Queen's University Belfast Students' Union
• Reading University Students' Union
• Royal Welsh Students' Union
• Students' Union UCL
• Swansea University Students' Union
• Union of Kingston Students
• University of Huddersfield Students' Union
• University of Plymouth Students' Union
• University of Portsmouth Students' Union
• University of Westminster Students' Union
• University of York Students' Union