From Lee Fellows | Deputy Director  of Student Services and Head of Student Support & Wellbeing

In September 2021, the University signed up to the Student Mental Health Charter. The Charter Programme brings together universities committed to university mental health to share practice and create cultural change. As part of this programme, the Charter Award, which we intend to apply for in 2023, recognises the promotion of good mental health and practice across all areas of the University.

The award is not just about the wellbeing support we offer students in Divisions and across Student Services but looks at how the university as a whole institution works to improve mental wellbeing across 5 key domains; Learn, Support, Work, Live and Enabling Themes. Each framework area has several themes within it, and as an institution, we will be assessed against each theme for the award.

Within the Learn domain we are beginning to review what wellbeing in the curriculum looks like for the University of Kent. We know that already there will be a variety of interesting and different approaches that Divisions, PSDs and individuals will use and this where we need your help.

To assist us with collating what we already do we would be grateful if you would complete this form letting us know what you do (or would like to do!) within lectures, seminars and outside the classroom environment that promotes wellbeing in the curriculum. We are also asking you to complete this form if you have any ideas on potential University-wide initiatives that we could take on board to incorporate wellbeing into the curriculum. No activity, initiative or idea is too big, small or wrong.

More information on the Mental Health Charter can be found here.  You may also find the AdvanceHE Education for Mental Health Toolkit to be a helpful resource.

You are warmly invited to the REF2021 results presentation which will be delivered by Professor Shane Weller, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, followed by refreshments in the Wolf Foyer. As well as a great opportunity to celebrate achievements, it will be a chance to catch up with colleagues.

Date: 12 May 2022

Time: 11am-1pm

Location: Wolf Lecture Theatre

We would be very grateful if you could confirm your attendance by signing up through the link below:

https://ref2021resultspresentation.eventbrite.co.uk

If you would prefer to join virtually, please email researchexcellence@kent.ac.uk and a Teams link will be sent to you.

We look forward to seeing you.

Michael Crick, University Council Member, volunteered his time to help at the March graduation celebrations and enjoyed it so much he has done so again this month.

In this message he encourages his fellow Kent staff to join the celebrations for our 2021 graduates in Rochester Cathedral on 11 May, and Canterbury Cathedral from 16 – 20 May. You can sign up online here or email congregations@kent.ac.uk.

I became a lay member of the council of the university last autumn, but during my first few months on the council it was difficult to get a proper feel for the university because of Covid restrictions.

Then I saw an appeal in the email news bulletin for volunteers to help out on graduation days.  “Why not?” I thought.  I’ll do one day in each of the four sessions in 2022, and it will be great way to meet recent students, their families, and members of staff, and to immerse myself in what the university is all about.

I did two ceremonies one day in Canterbury a couple of weeks ago.  I loved it.  I was kitted out in a blue and gold gown (strictly it should only have been blue only.)  I helped with laying the programmes on the seats and in guiding people to their places, but then I was asked to hand out the graduation certificates.

I was in my element.  As each new graduate walked past I gave them a big smile to catch their eye, and then handed over the certificate whispering a few words, trying to vary what I said each time, or making a joke of it, say, when someone got an especially loud cheer from their friends.  I was meeting people for only for 2-3 seconds, but it felt like making friends for life – almost 400 in one day!

There was also plenty of time both before and after the formal ceremony to speak to people about what they thought of the university and the course they’d studied.  I’m actually quite a shy person, but as a TV reporter I’ve learnt how to seize the moment and go up to strangers, introduce myself and chat to them (and the blue and gold gown helped on this occasion).  One trick outside on the lawn was to approach a group taking photos of themselves, and offer to take a photo of all of them altogether.  They almost always accepted – it broke the ice and the conversation flowed.

My abiding memory is the sheer joy of the occasion.  This was one of the exciting, memorable days of these new graduates’ lives, taking part in a great historic setting, the culmination of several years hard work.  Now for one day free of work and pressure, they were joined by their proud parents, families and friends.  It was great to take part in that, to share their happiness and sense of achievement, to watch young men and women setting off on their careers and new lives.

I can’t wait to do it again, and I strongly recommend to all university staff and also my fellow council members, that they volunteer for a ceremony or two.

From Catherine Morris | Sustainability Manager

Happy Earth Day 2022!

This year’s Earth Day theme is “Invest in Our Planet”. This day looks to engage everyone, from individuals to businesses and governments to recognise our collective responsibility and help accelerate the transition to an equitable, prosperous, sustainable economy for all. The campaign is focussed on reframing the conversation, accelerating action, and bringing us together to understand that this is within our reach if we work together.

For the University of Kent, this year’s Earth Day also marks 6 months since the launch of our Strategy for Climate Action and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),so I have been reflecting on what we have achieved since the launch event last year.

Often when you are engrossed working on something, it isn’t until you take a step back and assess that you can see how far you have come. This webpage talks more about some of the major achievements of the last 6 months but I would also like to take some time to celebrate the little actions.

For every exciting news-worthy project we are taking hundreds of small, incremental actions and nudges that collectively have a huge impact. Whether that’s replacing a high carbon footprint dish with a lower one on a food outlet menu, turning down an office’s heating by 1°C, installing a new recycling bin, or recruiting another staff sustainability champion, we are taking action every single day.

Wherever in the University you live, work or study, these little visible and invisible changes will be contributing to reducing our impacts and helping you to do the same. Collective responsibility and working together is at the heart of our sustainability agenda and I have been so encouraged over the last 6 months to see how staff, students and the local community are coming together to take action and build a new sustainable future.

We have some fantastic projects, events and initiatives planned for the next 6 months which we will be sharing as we go, so please watch this space.

If you would like any more information or would like to get in touch than please visit www.kent.ac.uk/sustainability or email sustainability@kent.ac.uk

We are excited to announce that our Discovery Planet Ramsgate Shop (47 High Street) is now available for community outreach activities.

An open event is being held on the 29 April and we invite you to come and take a look at the venue, its amenities and its location in the hope that you could run an engagement activity in the space.

The shop will be open between 10:00-14:00 for you to come and have a look, chat with Discovery Planet and experience how we run our activities.

If you would like to attend, please sign up using this form.

If you are unable to make this date, we will look to run something similar in the summer and we are also recording some video footage at our next event in April (21, 22, 23) which will give an idea of the venue to anyone interested.

We have organised a photoshoot to get new, fresh photography for both our Canterbury and Medway campuses and are looking for volunteers!

Our photographer will be taking realistic, candid shots to encompass life at Kent, so you don’t need to worry about posing. You will also receive £10 on your KentOne card/Medway equivalent as a thank you and we’re sure you will have a lot of fun in the process.

If you would like to participate, please fill in this form. We will get back to you with the exact times and further details. Here are the available slots:

Canterbury campus: Tuesday 26 April AM 
Canterbury campus: Tuesday 26 April PM
Canterbury campus: Wednesday 27 AM
Canterbury campus Wednesday 27 PM

Medway campus: Thursday 28 AM
Medway campus: Thursday 28 PM

The University of Kent is teaming up with Kent County Council to support the local community in becoming comfortable with using digital technology.

As part of KCC’s Digital Champions campaign, the University of Kent is encouraging students and staff to volunteer for an hour or two to support people in accessing the digital world. Your efforts could help save people time and money, make people feel more connected and better informed. Despite this, many people have never been online.

A Digital Champion is someone who helps others to understand the benefits of being online and can spend some time showing them how. Digital Champions do a range of simple things like:

• Teaching someone to use Google or a web browser
• Showing a beginner how to set up an email account
• Helping someone to use the internet to research and plan care
• Explaining computer terms and internet jargon

In return you’ll get:

• The opportunity to develop your own skills and knowledge about digital technology
• Free online training so you know better how to work with others and what sort of things you could teach them
• The chance to part of a community of Champions who can help each other and share ideas
• Rewards and awards! You’ll receive a Certificate and an online Open Badge for each Digital Champion course you complete – you can put it on your CV and show others what you’ve done
• Immense satisfaction that you’ve made a difference to someone else

What are we looking for?

You need a good level of basic computer skills, but you don’t have to be an IT genius. Much more important is having enthusiasm and patience to spend some time helping others to get online.

To find out more, join the introductory zoom meeting on Tuesday 26 April between 16:00-17:00

For more information, please feel free to contact James Corbin on J.I.H.Corbin-2@kent.ac.uk

Our ever-popular half-price membership offer for students, staff, and members of the public will be returning soon! You’ll be able to take out a half-price Premium Plus membership for one month at a time, between 19 April and 16 June 2022, which will give you access to all the modern sports and fitness facilities on the Canterbury campus including:

• Access to our extensive, air-conditioned gym for cardio and resistance/weights sessions
• A full timetable of the most popular fitness and dance classes
• A wide range of indoor and outdoor sports
• Use of our brand-new Indoor Tennis and Events Arena, featuring four acrylic tennis courts
• Participation in social sports sessions** with our ALL Active team

Once you purchase a membership, you’ll need to create an online account in order to book sessions and activities.

Our prices have also been frozen from last year, so there has never been a better time to take out a Kent Sport membership:

• University of Kent staff – £13 per month
• Juniors* –  £18 per month
• Alumni and public – £37 per month and includes a plus one

You can purchase your membership online or by visiting the Sports Centre and The Pavilion receptions. Half price membership offer is available for purchase from 19 April to 16 June 2022 inclusive and is for use for one month from the purchase date. Membership terms and conditions can be found at kent.ac.uk/sports/membership.

*To apply for the junior rate, you must be aged 16 to 18 years old. Proof of age will be required when purchasing a Junior membership. **Starting in term 3.

For Kent Sport news, events and special offers, Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter UniKentSports.

Commercial Services & Estates are thrilled to announce that the catering team have won the coveted Marketing Award at the 2022 Public Sector Catering Awards.

The awards, held at the Hilton London Metropole on Thursday 7 April, celebrate the culinary achievements of individuals, teams, and organisations operating in a public sector environment. There are 18 award categories that represent all areas of the sector.

The Marketing Award is an accolade which celebrates marketing campaigns that have proved to be successful and exceeded expectations. The University’s catering team were presented with the award for the development, implementation, and marketing of Order Up! – Kent’s debut food and drink ordering app. Find out more about Order Up! in our Staff News story.

The catering team worked incredibly hard to ensure Order Up! was user-friendly for customers and ready for the new academic year. Many hours were spent building the app, creating a brand identity, and designing promotional content. A tremendous amount of effort also went into testing the app and training staff on the back of house software.

Keith Williams, Head of Trading, said: “I am immensely proud of our remarkable team, it’s brilliant to see their hard work and collaboration recognised across the sector. The app they created was simply first class, a result of a tremendous amount of work and collective responsibility. Our customers have fully embraced Order Up! and benefitted from its introduction, making all the effort worthwhile.”

The three other shortlisted contenders for the Marketing Award included Zoe Gill from Brakes, Emily Reeves from Cypad, and Super Wellness from OCS.