A Healthy University: Getting Started www.healthyuniversities.ac.uk

What is a Healthy University? “aspires to create a learning environment and organisational culture that enhances the health, well-being and sustainability of its community and enables people to achieve their full potential.” www.healthyuniversities.ac.uk

A Conceptual Model www.healthyuniversities.ac.uk

Underpinning Principles The Healthy University approach is underpinned by a range of core principles, which derive from the values that characterise higher education and public health. The integrity of the approach will be ensured by applying the following principles: Equality and diversity Participation and empowerment Partnership Sustainability Holistic and whole system health Evidence-informed and innovative practice Evaluation, learning and knowledge exchange www.healthyuniversities.ac.uk

Processes and Methods A ‘whole university approach’ combines high visibility health-related projects with system-level organisation development and change, balances multi-stakeholder engagement with high-level commitment and leadership, and is driven by both higher education and public health agendas. Adapted from Dooris, M. (2004) Joining up settings for health: a valuable investment for strategic partnerships? Critical Public Health 14 (1): 37-49. www.healthyuniversities.ac.uk

Typical Range of Activities Policy/procedures Needs assessments/audits Training Establishing Curriculum links Health Campaigns Project development External partnerships Service audits and developments www.healthyuniversities.ac.uk

An Operational Process Monitoring & Evaluation Recognition & Celebration Working Groups Action Plan Delivery SMT Commitment & High Level Steering Group Named Co-ordinator Stakeholder asset mapping & needs assessment Entry Points/Catalysts: The approach also requires a proactive, systematic process that designates responsibilities and accountabilities, harnesses and connects health-related activities, and utilises an operational planning and implementation process. www.healthyuniversities.ac.uk

Stage 1: SMT Commitment This stage of the process includes: Formal SMT Commitment Decision on branding (if any) Formalisation of governance structures Consideration of how HU work can be embedded into university structures/strategies/planning Formulation of steering group with broad membership (eg faculties/schools, services, staff and students) Initial engagement of external partners in the steering group www.healthyuniversities.ac.uk

Stage 2: Named Coordinator This stage of the process includes: Consideration of where a Healthy University Coordinator would best be located within your organisation (see slides 17-19 for examples of healthy university structures) Decision about the level at which your coordinator will work, whether it is a full or part time role Decision about whether a the coordinator post is a new role, or existing role(s) within the organisation could be changed to reflect Healthy University work www.healthyuniversities.ac.uk

Stage 3: Assets & Needs Assessment This stage of the process includes: Decision about methods, resources and time available for an audit eg Focus groups, Team meetings, Questionnaires Identification any current audit information that relates to health Identification of internal and external stakeholders/partners Identification of current activity Identification of need – staff, students and wider community Securing buy-in and systems for on-going involvement www.healthyuniversities.ac.uk

Stage 4: Working Groups This stage of the process includes: Responding to mapping and audit by developing working group(s) that are action-focused groups determined by need – not ‘for own sake’ Following normal protocol for working groups, eg terms of reference, membership, timing, agreeing action plan Ensuring working groups are linked into governance structure(s) Consideration of who should lead/be on groups- Often the HU co-ordinator will facilitate groups but key members of steering group could also have this role www.healthyuniversities.ac.uk

Stage 5: Action Planning This stage of the process includes: Development of an action plan that fits into the institution's planning cycle. Each working group usually develops their own action plan feeding into a larger HU action plan Clarification of objectives, outcomes and evaluation Anticipation and connection to internal/external drivers and forging of links to relevant expertise Ensuring links to local and national targets Ensuring plans addresses local/national/ international standards and accreditation criteria www.healthyuniversities.ac.uk

Stage 6: Delivery This stage of the process includes: Ensuring your action plan is robust enough to support delivery and demonstrate ‘deliverables’ within a set timescale Identifying named leads and support/resources Regular reporting on progress through working groups and HU Steering Groups www.healthyuniversities.ac.uk

Stage 7: Monitoring & Evaluation This stage of the process includes: Planning for monitoring and evaluation – not an after-thought. Evaluation can be linked to external standards, e.g. Fair Trade Status, Clean Air Award Remembering the dual agendas – public health and ‘core business’ – and consideration of what counts as evidence in the setting Consideration of types of evaluation – not only to demonstrate outcomes, but to understand what works in which situations and why www.healthyuniversities.ac.uk

Stage 8: Recognition & Celebration This stage of the process includes: Internal and external dissemination of Healthy University achievements Inclusion of information into key university documents, prospectus, web pages, annual reports Write up of work into Case Study for HU website Write up of research/practice based work as journal articles www.healthyuniversities.ac.uk

Structure: UCLan www.healthyuniversities.ac.uk UCLan Strategic Planning/Committees Healthy University Staff & Student Well-being Healthy & Sustainable Food Alcohol & Drugs Chlamydia Bicycle User Group Environment & Sustainability UCLan Sport www.healthyuniversities.ac.uk

Structure: University of Bristol Planning & University Resource Committee Registrar Sport, Exercise & Health Advisory Group Healthy University Working Group Stress Action Group Food Action Group Drugs & Alcohol Action Group Active Campus Action Group Personal Staff Development Committee Positive Working Environment Steering Group Positive Working Environment Development Group www.healthyuniversities.ac.uk

Structure: Leeds Metropolitan University Leeds Student Health & Wellbeing Group (ext. partnership group) Leeds Metropolitan University Services to Students, Health Centre Health Faculty Carnegie Faculty of Sport www.healthyuniversities.ac.uk

Action Plan Example Nottingham Trent University: Sexual Health Theme To establish baseline data relevant to NTU students Strategic vision and partnership working To improve access to information on sexual health for students To improve access to sexual health services To review and develop this theme Dooris, M. and Doherty, S. (2009) National Research and Development Project on Healthy Universities: Final Report. London: Higher Education Academy Health Sciences and Practice Subject Centre www.healthyuniversities.ac.uk

Action Plan Example Leeds Metropolitan University: Smoking and Alcohol To expand access to Leeds Stop Smoking Service To develop peer led smoking cessation interventions in university and college settings in line with NICE guidance To reduce alcohol/drug related harm in student population To continue to develop and expand 14-21 campaign To work with SU bars to encourage adoption of 'sensible drinking programme' and train staff to serve responsibly To develop drug use/harm reduction campaigns drawing on expertise of SU and agencies working in the field Dooris, M. and Doherty, S. (2009) National Research and Development Project on Healthy Universities: Final Report. London: Higher Education Academy Health Sciences and Practice Subject Centre www.healthyuniversities.ac.uk

References www.healthyuniversities.ac.uk Dooris, M. and Doherty, S. (2009) National Research and Development Project on Healthy Universities: Final Report. London: Higher Education Academy Health Sciences and Practice Subject Centre. Dooris, M. (2004) Joining up settings for health: a valuable investment for strategic partnerships? Critical Public Health 14 (1) www.healthyuniversities.ac.uk