Goal 3: Policies, processes and practices
The following page outlines specific policies, processes and practices in support of Sustainable Development Goal 3 Good Health and Wellbeing.
Health and well-being collaborations and initiatives
We have collaborations with local, national, and global health institutions to improve health and well-being outcomes. Locally, we are part of Health Innovation Manchester, which is Greater Manchester’s health research, innovation and life sciences system.
Nationally, we have a range of partnerships with the NHS to improve health and wellbeing outcomes, such as The NHS Leadership Academy, where we work with a consortium of partners, to co-create and co-deliver two of healthcare’s largest ever professional leadership development programmes.
Internationally, we work with the WHO, Medicins Sans Frontiers and the Red Cross on initiatives to improve health, wellbeing and emergency medicine in areas of international conflict and disaster through our Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute. We also incubate a charity UK-Med through a formal partnership. UK-Med is a non-governmental organisation that develops and deploys volunteer clinicians and allied health professionals to support international emergency medical response.
Local community facilities
We deliver health outreach programmes and projects in the local community to improve and promote health and well-being for specific disadvantaged groups, including inner-city children, refugees and asylum seekers. Our Sports Volunteer Schemes enable ongoing and ad hoc volunteering by staff and students, delivering activities for local organisations and specific groups such as inner-city school children and young women. Our outreach programmes address dental inequalities, aiming to improve oral health for children, disadvantaged groups, immigrant and refugee communities, and those whose first language is not English. These efforts promote health and well-being both within the University and the wider Manchester community.
We share sports facilities with the local community, with many activities provided for free or offered on a subsidised, not-for-profit basis. We operate the Sugden Centre, which offers free and subsidised access to workout classes and sports hall facilities for the local community. For example, our Manchester Aquatics Centre provides free swimming for under-17s at selected times and year-round free swimming for over-60s. We offer world-class facilities around the campus, providing a wide range of sport, fitness, and well-being activities available to the public at not-for-profit rates. Through our #ActiveAnywhere campaign, students, staff, and the wider University community can stay active, regardless of their location.
Sexual and reproductive healthcare
We provide free information, advice and guidance on sexual and reproductive healthcare services through our Student Support Centre and Occupational Health Service. The online websites provide free information about specific services that offer sexual health screening, treatment, and management of sexually transmitted infections. The Robert Darbishire Practice, the University’s on campus GP service, and our Students’ Union Advice Centre offer free routine and emergency contraception such as condoms and femidoms for students.
Mental health support
We are committed to supporting students’ mental health by proactively promoting wellbeing and providing access to a wide range of free mental health services. We’ve curated a collection of resources to help students take steps to improve their mental health and wellbeing, offering tips and tools for incorporating self-care activities into their daily routines. Our wellbeing calendar features events and activities happening across the University to encourage participation. The University’s Counselling Service offers free crisis support, working closely with local charities like Shout and Samaritans, and providing staff for high-risk students. They offer free counselling sessions to those who require it and a variety of workshops, podcasts on mindfulness /meditation and access to online courses to promote healthy mental health practice. We offer free support for a range of challenges students may face, from mental health and academic concerns to financial, housing, and relationship issues.
We also provide our members of staff with access to a variety of mental health support services, focusing on promoting positive mental health and offering free resources. Our ‘Six Ways to Wellbeing’ initiative encourages holistic actions that help integrate wellbeing into daily life: connect, be active, take notice, learn & discover, give, and be healthy. We host Colleague Wellbeing Month: Wellbeing for All every June, offering staff the opportunity to focus on their wellbeing through various activities and resources. Staff members can also become Wellbeing Champions, working across teams to help colleagues recognize and reduce stress in their work lives. The University Library provides free access to key titles on counselling and mental health, alongside hundreds of digital and print wellbeing resources covering a wide range of topics.
Smoke-free campus
We are a partially smoke-free campus. Since 2013, the University has maintained a ‘no smoking’ policy, which is reviewed annually. This policy states that all University and indoor workplaces, vehicles and designated outdoor areas are designated as non-smoking zones. Smokers are not permitted to smoke or use electronic cigarettes within five metres of building entrances.