The University of Westminster has welcomed four students, Temitope Afolabi, Adri Abeysekera, Leandra Wilson-Patrick and Tanya Afshin, to begin their roles at the University as Mental Health and Wellbeing Advocates. Over the coming four months, they will work in partnership with Kristy Robinson, Co-Head of Student Support and Residential Life (SSRL) at the University, to help shape how mental health and wellbeing support continues to develop across the University.
Through a co-creation approach, the Advocates will collaborate with colleagues across the University to explore student experiences, identify opportunities for improvement and contribute ideas that strengthen the support available to the community.
The Advocates will be involved in conversations about how services are experienced by students, how communication and access to support can be improved and how Westminster can continue building a whole-university approach to mental health and wellbeing. Their work will help inform practical changes and recommendations that can continue beyond the pilot.
This initiative contributes to the University’s wider commitment to the principles of good practice outlined in the University Mental Health Charter, ensuring that student perspectives play an active role in shaping institutional approaches to mental health and wellbeing.
Kristy Robinson said: “It has been a genuine pleasure working with our four Student Mental Health and Wellbeing Advocates over the past three weeks. The energy and commitment they bring to supporting student mental health is inspiring and I have been particularly impressed by how thoughtfully and collaboratively they are working together. I am excited to see how their ideas develop and the impact of the project they choose to take forward.”
One of the students, Tanya, said: “Not all struggles are visible and effective support starts with recognising that. I’m excited to contribute to a role that centres student voices and helps shape more inclusive, accessible and responsive mental health support across the University.”
The initiative directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3: Good Health and Wellbeing and 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Learn more about student wellbeing at the University of Westminster.
