We’re also aware that staff and students will have all experienced their own unique challenges over the last year, as Covid-19 changed our lives significantly.
Supporting staff and students’ wellbeing is our priority, which is why we’re marking Mental Health Awareness Week, which takes place from 10-16 May.
The national theme for 2021 is ‘Nature’. Research conducted by the Mental Health Foundation revealed that going for walks outside was one of the top coping strategies for people during the pandemic, and 45% of people reported being in green spaces as vital for their mental health.
So, celebrate the benefits of nature with us and join onto some of the initiatives and events we have planned for the week. Some of our events will take place after Monday 17 May to coincide with the planned easing of Covid-19 restrictions to allow more guests to join.
Campus poetry walk
LU Arts and a group of talented students have produced an audio poetry walk in a bid to encourage people to explore the campus and take up outdoor activity to support their mental health.
Ten students have each wrote and recorded their own poem related to a specific place on the Loughborough site. The audio walk will be available to listen to from Monday 10 May by downloading the Overhear app, which pinpoints the poems on a map and allows users to listen to it once they reach that location.
Yoga sessions
Join us for an outdoor yoga session and connect with nature on our campus grounds. They’ll be two sessions taking place at the Hazlerigg-Rutland Lawn. Both of these events will start at 12.30pm and last for approximately one hour, and are suitable for all abilities. You can book your place and find out more information by clicking the links below:
Bluebell Walk at Burleigh Wood
This guided walk is a great opportunity to explore parts of the campus you may not have visited yet and see the amazing display of bluebells that bloom every year at Burleigh Wood.
The walk will start at 12pm on 11 May at the top of the Holywell Car Park (near pitches 6 and 7), and appropriate Covid-19 restrictions will be in place.
Fruit Routes
The Sustainability team – along with local artist Anne-Marie Culhane – will be celebrating spring by hosting Fruit Routes on campus. Guests are invited to attend their Fruit Routes walk on 19 May from 12.30pm-1.30pm, as well as a ‘drop-in’ at the Barefoot Orchard until 3pm, where staff and students can try foraged tea and learn more about the Fruit Routes Project.
Meet the Landscape and Gardening Society
Visit members of the Landscape and Gardening Society on 21 May from 3pm to learn more about what they do, their volunteering opportunities, as well as hearing their top gardening tips.
Support available to you
We have a range of support services available to you, including University-led services and those ran by external organisations. You can read more about these and view some resources here.