Staff Health and Wellbeing Day - 25 November 2026
A health and wellness day to promote and support the physical and mental well-being of staff.
Wednesday 25 November, 9.30am - 3.00pm
Medrus Conference Centre
- Come and meet key services and learn about the various health and wellbeing support and resources available for staff within the University and externally.
- Learn how to access and the various support available when needed (e.g., AccessAble, Employee Assistance Program).
- Gain awareness and identify strategies for improving physical health, mental health and building resilience.
- "Know your numbers" get your blood pressure and BMI checked with information and advice.
- Understand the importance of cultivating habits that promote long-term physical, mental, and emotional health.
Programme
Wellness Fair (9.30am - 3.00pm)
Come meet the range of internal departments and external services exhibiting at the Wellness Fair.
| Exhibitor | Stall information |
|---|---|
| Aberystwyth and District Beekeepers Association (ABKA) | Beekeeping can be one of life's most cathartic occupations: you can't get much closer to nature, and your fruit and vegetable garden will experience unparalleled pollination. Pursue it as a hobby that will fascinate your family and friends, or convert it from hobby to occupation (or business!) with a product the Pharaohs enjoyed. The beekeeping community is endlessly supportive to the beginner. |
| Aberystwyth Arts Centre | Come and meet the Aberystwyth Arts Centre team and hear about their diverse programme of exhibitions, performances, workshops and community activities. |
| Aberystwyth Bridge Club (ABC) | Aberystwyth Bridge Club (ABC) is a community club, keen to recruit more members - come and learn more about the club, when and where they meet, training sessions available, and the variety of events held throughout the year. |
| Aberystwyth Park Run | Aberystwyth parkrun and Aberystwyth junior parkrun: opportunities for participation (walk/run) and volunteering. |
| Department of Life Sciences: Sport Performance and Health Testing | You will have the opportunity to have a body composition assessment and learn about the commercial services offered in the Carwyn James Building including: Assessment of aerobic capacity, lactate threshold determination, comprehensive body composition assessment and your health package. |
| Department of Life Sciences: Well-being and Health Assessment Research Unit |
Come and discover WARU and how we support health and wellbeing research, from nutrition and lifestyle studies to clinical trials and health assessments. Learn about our current research, what taking part involves, and the opportunities available for you to get involved. |
| Department of Psychology: Well-being Research and applications |
Come and meet researchers who specialise in well-being research. Take part in or find out more about our research looking at mindfulness and walking in nature, understanding individuals factors that shape well-being and the Aberystwyth Longitudinal Psychology Study (ALPS)/Astudiaeth Seicoleg Hydredol Aberystwyth – ASHA. |
| Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service (DDAS) | Information and support available for any adult over the age of 18 with a drug or alcohol problem themselves or who are concerned about someone else’s drug and/or alcohol use. |
| Dyfed Powys Police | Dyfed-Powys cover the area of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys - serving more than 515,000 people, which rises significantly with tourists each year. Come and meet PC Helen Yelland to hear about their work, campaigns and the support available for you. |
| Dysgu Cymraeg / Learn Welsh | Come and meet the LearnWelsh team to hear about the Welsh in the workplace (or at home) courses, the resources and support available to learn, and the various events that are planned. |
| Healthcare Education Centre |
Meet the nursing team within the University, who are registered nurses within a variety of specialist backgrounds. They will be happy to record your blood pressure, showcase some of our resources, and chat about ways to support your resilience and health choices. |
| Conference and Hospitality |
Visit https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/hospitality/ for information available on healthy food options, value meals, promotion on gluten free range, allergens, menus. |
| Endometriosis UK | Endometriosis impacts on the physical and mental health of 1 in 10 women and those assigned female at birth in the UK. That’s over 1.5 million who desperately need support and information to help them understand this chronic condition. We are the UK’s leading charity for all those affected by endometriosis, determined to ensure that everyone gets prompt diagnosis and the best treatment and support. We work to break down barriers to access - whether information, treatment or support - wherever endometriosis impacts on lives. We are a powerful voice for those with endometriosis, driving up care standards across the UK. |
| Health, Safety & Environment | Meet the team, here to support you, not to police you! Stay safe this winter. Stay legal. Stay prepared. Winter weather can create challenging driving conditions, but a few simple checks can significantly reduce your risk on the road. Visit our stand for practical advice. Prepare your vehicle. Protect yourself. Arrive safely. |
| Human Resources & Organisational development | Meet the team and learn about the range of policies, resources and initiatives aimed at promoting employee health, wellbeing, and personal development. |
| Hywel Dda Community Development Outreach team (CDOT) | CDOT provide health information helping individuals to make informed choices on their health and well-being (including smoking cessation, alcohol reduction, immunisation and vaccinations and healthy eating and living). |
| Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue |
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service offer the opportunity to have a Safe and Well Visit in your home. A Safe and Well Visit includes all the contents of the home fire safety checks but will also include other safety messages that may be relevant to the people living in the property. The five main additional topics will cover Smoking cessation; Home security; Falls prevention; Scamming awareness; and Tackling loneliness and isolation |
| Lifelong Learning |
Information on courses available that are suitable for both personal and professional development, and off stall demonstration through out the day. Lifelong Learning courses are FREE for all Aberystwyth University staff - Find a course for you. |
| Report and Support tool for students and staff | Come meet the Anti-harassment and Violence Support team to learn more about the Report and Support tool for students and staff - secure and confidential online platform to report incidents of sexual misconduct, bullying, harassment, discrimination or hate crime. |
| Sports Centre | Meet the team and get information on the range of classes, facilities, and membership packages available – with demonstrations and on the day challenges. |
| Staff Networks | Come meet members from our various staff networks and groups, hear about upcoming meetings and events and how to get involved. |
| Student Support and Wellbeing | Meet staff from across the Student Support and Wellbeing teams to hear how our ‘Supporting our Students Together’ Programme is designed to equip staff with knowledge of student-related matters so they can provide meaningful support and make effective, informed referrals, when they are required. With information about the Employee and Student Assistance Programmes and the AccessAble online tool for campus navigation and accessibility information. |
| Trade Unions | UCU, UNISON and UNITE - information on the support available, membership and the benefits and services. |
| West Wales Domestic Abuse Service |
West Wales Domestic Abuse Service (WWDAS) offer a range of person-led and trauma-informed specialist services to people who have experienced domestic abuse and/or sexual violence. |
Health and Wellbeing talks and workshops (9.30am - 3.00pm)
Programme of talks and workshops to be held in Medrus 3 or Online
| Time | Talk/ Workshop | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 9.30am - 10.20am |
Making Work Work for You: Understanding Adjustment Passports | Register Here Rachel Harris, HR Operations Advisor This session will explain how Adjustment Passports can support staff wellbeing by providing a simple way to capture agreed workplace adjustments and support needs. Whether returning from sickness absence, managing a health condition, disability, or other circumstances, Adjustment Passports can help ensure support is understood, recorded, and maintained over time. |
Medrus 3 |
| 10.30pm - 11.20pm |
Art for All Workshop | Register here (limited to first 10 registrants) Rhys Pugh, Lifelong Learning Tutor Take a mindful break from the demands of the working day with this relaxing, beginner-friendly pencil art workshop. Through simple drawing exercises, gentle shading, and exploring shapes and textures, you will have the opportunity to slow down, switch off from work pressures, and focus on the present moment. No artistic experience is needed - just a willingness to experiment, be creative, and enjoy some calm, restorative time for yourself. This workshop is based on the Art for All course offered by Lifelong Learning. |
Medrus 2 |
|
10.30pm - 11.20pm |
Create Your Own Purse | Register here (limited to first 25 registrants) Robyn Carlson, Lifelong Learning Tutor A relaxing, creative workshop offering staff the opportunity to take a break from their busy routines, unwind and focus on their wellbeing. Participants will enjoy making their own small coin purse, exploring their creativity while connecting with colleagues in a friendly, and informal setting. Everyone will leave with a handmade purse, and a sense of achievement, calm and renewed energy. This workshop is based on the Sewing for Beginners course offered by Lifelong Learning. |
Medrus 3 |
| 10.30pm - 11.20pm |
Lessons from Positive Psychology: The Importance and Function of Positive Emotions | Register here Anna Udalowska, Lifelong Learning Online Tutor What role do positive emotions play in our wellbeing, and how can we cultivate more of them in our everyday lives? Drawing on research in Positive Psychology, this interactive workshop will explore the function of positive emotions and their role in helping us flourish. We will introduce the Broaden-and-Build Theory to understand how positive emotions can expand our thinking and help us build lasting psychological resources. We will also explore evidence-based positive psychology interventions for increasing positive emotions and discuss what research tells us about the balance between positive and negative emotions that supports wellbeing. This workshop is based on the Applied Positive Psychology course offered by Lifelong Learning. |
Online |
| 1.00pm - 2.00pm |
Wellbeing Walk | Register here Come join the University Walking Club for a wellbeing walk (approx 45 mins) around campus and woods. It’s a great opportunity to get away from the desk, explore nature, and chat with others!
You will find future calendar dates and route updates on the Walking Club Teams site (2 walks per month on Penglais campus and Gogerddan campus). |
Penglais Campus |
| 2.10pm - 3.00pm |
The Role of Self Compassion in the workplace | Register here Jenny Smith - Lifelong Learning Tutor (Psychology) Self-compassion is increasingly recognised as a vital psychological tool in the workplace. It can support our wellbeing by building true resilience and helping to mitigate our stress response to the many pressures, demands and uncertainties that we face. This introductory workshop will offer an experiential and practical exploration of how to develop this approach of becoming more attentive, kind and responsive to ourselves. |
Medrus 3 |
Tree and shrub planting volunteering (10.30am & 11.30am)
- 10.30am -11.30am | Register your interest
- 11.30am - 12.30pm | Register your interest
As part of the Staff Health and Wellbeing day we are seeking volunteers to get involved in the planting of trees and shrubs as part of the creation of a new biodiversity enhancement area beside the Sports Centre Dome. These works form part of the University's wider ambitions to protect and enhance biodiversity across our estate by creating new native hedgerows, planting trees and creating more pollinator friendly spaces that are as accessible as possible so that more people can get the benefits of access to nature and nature connection. Hedgerows and new woodland provide vital resources for mammals, birds, and insect species. As well as being an important habitat in their own right, they can act as wildlife corridors allowing dispersal between isolated habitats.
There will be 2 planting sessions on the day – each lasting approximately 1 hr. To register your interest in attending either of these sessions please complete the following register form
Wellbeing Walk (1.00pm - 2.00pm)
Wellbeing Walk (1pm - 2pm) | Register here
Come join the University Walking Club for a wellbeing walk (approx 45 mins).
It’s a great opportunity to get away from the desk, explore nature, and chat with others!
- Meet at University Reception (Penglais Campus) at 1.00pm
- the only considerations to make whilst walking is that colleagues wear suitable footwear, suitable clothing for the terrain and weather and to keep the pace to the slowest participation.
- Optional litter picking on route.
You will find future calendar dates and route updates on the Walking Club Teams site (2 walks per month on Penglais campus and Gogerddan campus).
Cariad.Dog (9.30am – 3.00pm)
Come and meet Cariad.Dog - therapy dogs and their volunteer owners - de-stress with a doggy date!
Cariad.Dog create consenting connections between humans and dogs for their mutual benefit.
Cariad.Dog will be at the Wellbeing day at these times:
- 9.30am - 11.00am Thor and Jo
- 11.00am - 12.30pm Ash and Charlotte
- 1.30pm - 3.00pm - Milo and Jackie
Touch a Tropical Tree (10.00am to 3.00pm)
Touch a Tropical Tree (10.00am to 3.00pm) | Register
Did you know there's a hidden tropical garden just across Penglais Hill?
Take a little break on Wellbeing Day and step into the warmth of our tropical glasshouse. Discover banana, cocoa and avocado trees, explore our collection of unusual plants, and learn a little about the species growing right on our doorstep.
Drop by during our opening times: 10am to 3pm
How to find us: Walk up the driveway opposite campus towards Penglais Woods, take the first right and follow the signs