Supporting the wellbeing of staff and students
Learn more about how enhancing and personalising the student experience can contribute to improved wellbeing.
Supporting student and staff wellbeing is now more important than ever. We’re committed to helping organisations protect the wellbeing of staff and students by using technology, both now and in the future. Here you’ll find helpful guides, events, reports, and examples of effective practice.
For more information on what can be done to support you and your college or university, contact help@jisc.ac.uk.
Catch up with recordings from past events
Peers and sector experts share their advice for effective practice with wellbeing initiatives.
Student and staff wellbeing in higher education
In our new report with Emerge Education, we reflect on the broadly accepted need for a fundamental realignment of the way mental health and wellbeing are seen and approached. We examine how innovation and technology, brought to the fore in the era of the lockdown, can bring that realignment into being, and set out four principles for mental wellbeing in higher education.
Advice and guidance
Inclusive digital practice and digital wellbeing
Our new quick guide covers the benefits that inclusive digital practice has on wellbeing and what you can do to make the best use of technology for all learners.
Guidance and reports
A selection of practical resources that explore different aspects of supporting staff and student wellbeing.
Code of practice for wellbeing and mental health analytics
Our code of practice gives suggestions on how education providers can ensure that their use of data to support wellbeing does not create risks for students or staff.
Read the code of practice for wellbeing and mental health analytics.
Digital wellbeing of learners quick guide
It can be difficult to know where to begin when approaching how digital will impact on individuals. Jisc has developed a model showing the four aspects of digital wellbeing for individuals.
Student wellbeing
Any unexpected or prolonged enforced absence from campus is likely to have a significant impact on the wellbeing of your learners. Clear, consistent and constant messaging is critical to help fill that void and ensure learners feel as supported and informed as possible.
Read the chapter on student wellbeing (from our guide on ensuring continuity of learning during enforced absence).
Helping with wellbeing and supporting vulnerable learners
Learners must feel safe and protected before they’ll feel confident enough to engage and participate in online activities.
Read the chapter on helping with wellbeing and supporting vulnerable learners (from our guide on planning induction for autumn 2020).
Keeping in contact with staff
Staff will be subject to the same stresses and concerns as students who may suffer from feelings of isolation, confusion and anxiety when unable to access campus for a prolonged period
Read the chapter on keeping in contact with staff (from our guide on ensuring continuity of learning during enforced absence).
Digital pedagogy toolkit
Helping academics to make informed choices when embedding digital into the curriculum
Read the digital pedagogy toolkit.
Blended learning: a synthesis of change
Based on conversations with HE staff predominantly in Wales, this report looks at some of the higher education sector’s key considerations in light of COVID-19. It shares experiences and practices required to successfully develop and embed blended learning programmes.
Finding mental health support and information
Whether you are coping with mental health problems or supporting someone going through a difficult time, finding the right support and information makes a difference.
Here are some organisations and charities that can help.
- UCL - Digital Wellbeing: A guide for staff and students
- Mind - how to cope with student life
- Student Minds University Mental Health Charter
- NHS employers - calendar of national health and wellbeing campaigns
- Time to Change
- Developing a Sense of Belonging in online distance learning toolkit (developed by a group of universities in Scotland)
- Enhance Digital Teaching Platform - wellbeing resources
- YoungMinds
- Mental Health Foundation
- Rethink Mental Illness
- NHS - mental health and wellbeing resources
Helplines and support
- Shout - free 24/7 text support for anyone in crisis or who needs help
- Samaritans - free 24/7 phone support, you can also contact via email or post
- BetterHelp - database of paid-for counsellors providing ongoing support – not for people in crisis
- TalkLife - an app based on peer support – give and receive anonymous support
- The Mix - online, social, and mobile support for young people under 25
- SupportLine - confidential emotional support via phone or email
- NHS - mental health helplines
Stuart Rimmer
Chief executive and principal, East Coast College
“We’ve been focused on staff wellbeing through this period and we’ve worked hard to put in systems that socially connect people, whether that’s with weekly Zoom meetings, online resources, or online prayer groups, book clubs, virtual running clubs and more. We’ve really gone to town.”
Be part of the community
Building digital capability community of practice
Meets regularly for colleagues to work together on all aspects of digital capability for staff and students.
Enhancing learning and teaching with technology: FE community group
Support colleagues in FE to connect with peers, share best practice and address local and national challenges around the use of technology in learning and teaching.
Join the accessibility community group
Connect with peers to learn more about meeting accessibility regulations and co-create resources to avoid duplicating work.
How we can support you
Get advice from our experts and explore our services
We're happy to talk to you about:
- Improving your/your staff’s digital capabilities and confidence
- Knowledge of/improving access to digital resources and content services
- How data could support the learner journey
If you want to know more about any of these topics or to find out more about how our services can help you, email us and we'll get in touch.
Services
Digital experience insights
Supporting you to explore different aspects of digital wellbeing.
Building digital capability
Equip staff and students to thrive in a digital world.
Learning and research resources
Easily accessible and relevant learning resources to enhance learning and teaching.
Cloud
Support collaboration and interaction/active learning.
Learning analytics
How data could support the learner journey.
Digifest, 8-11 March 2021
Join us for an immersive, virtual Digifest 2021 with a programme focusing on culture, resilience and reimagining the student experience.
Got a question?
We're here to help.
Call us on 0300 300 2212 or help@jisc.ac.uk.