Mental Health in Education Awards 2024

Outstanding Student Support

This award was open for nominations from students and employers, to recognise an individual who has made a lasting and positive impact on an individuals’ mental health.

Nominators were asked to give tangible examples of how the nominee has made a positive impact - this may be because of personal qualities, their interactions with you or other students, or specific action(s) they have taken.

Nominees

Eleanor Ward [Birmingham City University]

Eleanor is a Mental Health Adviser at BCU and was nominated by a colleague in her team. They wrote that:

“She is an incredibly thorough and effective practitioner who has supported many students with complex and challenging mental health difficulties to successfully complete their courses”.  

Aimee Dent [Queen Mary University of London]

Amy is Head of Student, Academic and Pastoral Support QMUL, Malta Campus. 

Her colleague said that she “works hard to embed best practice across the Malta campus of QMUL” and is “passionate about supporting the medical students to excel and thrive in their studies”  including through regular liaison with the London campus.

Jane Dye [University of Plymouth]

Jane who is a Specialist Mental Health Mentor received nominations from two of the students she mentors. 

The first one wrote that Jane “has brought me from the point of being completely unable to engage with my studies, to getting consistently high marks in my assignments - Jane has done this via helping to identify and get my ADHD and autism diagnosed, and developing strategies for these unique to myself and my way of working”.

And the second nominator wanted to “express my gratitude for her unwavering support throughout my personal transformative journey post ADHD diagnosis. I was ready to withdraw from my course over the Summer as it was getting too difficult to balance life, parenting, ADHD, work, and study at the same time. Jane was the one person that helped me stay the course”. 

Nova Matthias [Equality Focus]

Nova works as a Specialist Mental Health Mentor. She was nominated by a colleague who said she was an “outstanding mentor” who “goes above and beyond for her students and genuinely cares about them and works so hard to ensure that they receive the highest quality support possible”. She has supported “hundreds of students through Equality Focus and the feedback she receives is always outstanding and the difference she has made to so many people really is insurmountable and very clear to see in all of her student feedback”. 

Emily Britton [University of the Arts London]

Emily works as a Mental Health Adviser at the University of the Arts London and was nominated by a colleague. They said that she is “dedicated, hardworking and very popular with our students” bringing “a great deal of clinical skills and knowledge in the mental health sector”. 

Amy Wilson [De Montfort University]

Amy Wilson is a Lead Specialist Mental Health Mentor at DMU and was nominated by a student she mentors. 

They wrote that they met Amy when they were an undergraduate student and that "her kindness, guidance, and support has always been exceptional" such that they were able to complete their degree, a Masters and are now undertaking PhD study: 

"Amy has been my rock, my biggest cheerleader, and my sense of stability throughout the past 5 years".

Winner

Jane Dye

The judges were very impressed with all of the great practice described in the nominations.

Lifetime Contribution

This award was for a UMHAN member who has been working in the field for more than 10 years and has displayed a commitment to the aims and ethos of UMHAN. 

Nominators were asked to include examples of how the nominee has worked to ensure people with mental health conditions can fairly access and thrive in education. 

We had four eligible nominations and they were all incredible. 

Nominees

Naomi Rogers [University of Southampton]

Naomi is a Wellbeing Practitioner at the university and was nominated by a colleague. 

Naomi has worked at the university for 20 years including in the Student Wellbeing and Student Disability and Inclusion support services and is “committed to supporting students through their academic journey and has been involved in doing this in various forms throughout her time in Student Services”. 

In addition, she has contributed to policy/guidance development, keeps up to date with sector events and best practice, suggests training for colleagues in her team and the wider university. 

“Naomi is an exceptional Wellbeing Practitioner. She is a kind and empathetic person whilst putting into place practical and emotional  support to enable the student to access learning. This is all executed whilst maintaining boundaries of the role and the service. Naomi has also been an incredibly stable force during multiple periods of change to service, structure and role as Higher Education support services have evolved”. 

Jo Lester [University of Northampton]

Jo is Team Leader, Counselling and Mental Health at the University of Northampton and received 2 nominations from colleagues. Jo’s role was created in 1997 through a HEFCE funded project and “she has now been here for 27  years. It is thought that this was the first specific mental health role in higher education”.

"From being a lone worker to leading a growing team she has developed the service both within the university and the wider student population via her involvement with UMHAN (she was a founding member)... 

Her advocacy was instrumental in securing significant funding for mental health programmes, allowing universities to expand their services and reach more students. Lester’s vision was clear: mental health should be an integral part of the university experience, and she worked tirelessly to make this a reality...

She has also inspired countless professionals in the field of mental health. Her commitment to professional development is evident in the numerous workshops and training sessions she has conducted, which have equipped university colleagues with the latest tools and techniques to better serve their students... 

Her research has significantly contributed to the academic understanding of student mental health. Her contribution to studies have highlighted the unique challenges faced by university students and the most effective strategies to address these issues... 

Her work has created a more supportive, understanding, and proactive environment for students, ensuring that mental health is given the priority it deserves". 

Pete Broadhurst [De Montfort University] 

Peter is Mental Health Inclusion Officer at DMU and was nominated by a colleague for his contribution there noting that “he is often affectionately referred to as the "dad" of our group”. Having started as the sole worker in the department, he "has seen it grow into the robust team it is today. His journey with the service is a testament to his dedication and expertise...

Pete embodies the ethos of a calm, collected, and competent practitioner. He is not only approachable but also intensely knowledgeable about student wellbeing and the intricacies of university politics and dynamics. He is a rock in our team, and I am so grateful to work with him...

Pete has had to navigate multiple scenarios in his time, engaging closely with every faculty, ranging from students at risk to support to study investigations, to fitness to practice investigations, and more. His ability to handle such a wide variety of situations with competence and care has earned him the respect and trust of both students and staff alike...

He is known and respected not just in welfare, but by the wider university network. For example, when we conduct training sessions together on empowering students with mental health conditions, many professors know him and speak highly of him. This wide-reaching respect highlights the significant impact Pete has had across the entire institution... 

Pete’s influence and impact are felt far beyond our immediate team, and his legacy of dedication and compassion will continue to benefit the university for years to come".

Norman Nur [University of Sunderland]

Norman is a Mental Health Wellbeing Adviser at the university and was nominated by a colleague. 

"Norman is a Mental Health Nurse with over 30+ years experience of supporting and advocating for people with mental health conditions to thrive. He is an outstanding asset to our institution, held in high esteem across the city and  wider.  Our University motto is ‘Life Changing’ and there are so many examples of how Norman has changed lives, for the better...

Norman supports our students to do well academically, to stay at university and to develop life skills. He is amazing at his role which is so much more than just a job. He works with the team around the student and goes out of his way to help the wider team...

With his reputation going before him he is often asked to support consultations about culture change and inclusive learning, impacting both strategy and practice. Our widening participation team is award winning with Norman’s work integral to service success. He leads round table discussions, creating a safe space for colleagues and students to discuss and reflect on specific issues such as men’s mental health, raising awareness and encouraging others to seek support"...

His colleagues in Wellbeing said: “Everyone loves Norman! He goes above and beyond to help students' recovery. He is such a team worker, going out of his way to check in on his students and peers. After a tough day, he still makes time to check in on us. He makes everyone feel safe and truly cared for. Everyone loves Norman.” 

Winner

Jo Lester

Outstanding Contribution to UMHAN

For any member who participates in making UMHAN a successful organisation.

This might be contributions in meetings, our Community Forum, working groups and  promoting our work externally. 

Nominations must be made by another UMHAN member.

Nominees

Dave Wilson [INTO Lancaster University]

Dave Wilson is Director of Support Services at INTO Lancaster University. Dave was nominated by two other Manager members for the active role he plays in the UMHAN Community Forum where he frequently shares news and information as well as for his warm demeanour in UMHAN Manager Meetings: 

“He's extremely knowledgeable and supportive of his peers. He's run information sessions, and been part of advisory groups... I've found him very approachable and helpful in regards to my thinking around service development”.

"He has a broad interest in all relevant areas including sector legislation and guidance, service management and ground level service delivery and helps newbies with a warmth and generosity which is much appreciated by those involved. He has made many managers' meetings interesting and productive, even though we leave wishing we could Be More Dave”. 

Gemma Penney [University of Southampton]

Lead Wellbeing Practitioner at the University of Southampton, Gemma was nominated by a colleague for her support for students and for UMHAN, encouraging colleagues to join and participate: 

“Gemma introduced the wider wellbeing service to UMHAN, which we had no prior involvement with. Gemma promoted the benefits to both practitioners and managers resulting in the multi-disciplinary team joining... 

Gemma manages a team of wellbeing practitioners and ensures they are aware of and able to attend Lunch and Learn sessions.  Gemma joined the Advisory Group this year and has also shared information regarding our case management systems.  

Gemma is a strong advocate for the benefits of UMHAN and is supporting future membership for the wider wellbeing team”. 

Winner

Dave Wilson

Highly Commended 

Gemma Penney

Hearing how Gemma had promoted UMHAN within her new service was brilliant. 

Embedding Student Mental Health Across An Institution

For sustained work in embedding student mental health within an education institution. 

This award acknowledges the ongoing work by our members in this area. It is unlikely to be awarded for work on a single project without clear demonstration of how this has become continued practice.

Nominees

Hayley Rennie [University of Sheffield]

Hayley is a Specialist Mental Health Mentor at the University of Sheffield. Nominated by a UMHAN member, they felt she has made “a significant contribution to understanding the issues experienced by disabled students who are studying a PhD" by sharing her research and “using evidence based work to introduce strategies at University of Sheffield which can be used elsewhere”. 

Louise Fay [University of Southampton]

Louise is a Specialist Practitioner at the University of Southampton and was nominated by a colleague for her work on setting up a Wellbeing Café:

“a creative space supported by practitioners that does not have to offer practical or therapeutic support but allows the students to be involved in arts and crafts or discussions with staff or other students. Two years on the Wellbeing Café takes place every Sunday and one weekday every other week and roams across all of the university campuses to ensure that every student has the opportunity to attend. It is a really successful initiative and is widely used by students as an informal way of engaging with Wellbeing and other students”. 

Kirsty Hutchinson [Newcastle University]

Kirsty is Head of Counselling and Welfare at Newcastle University. She was nominated by a colleague for her work on the development of the Impact Measurement Scale (IMS). They wrote that she “recognised a gap in the sector for a data collection tool which accurately reflects the volume of interactions and work the service delivers to our students and stakeholders”. The IMS is a data recording scale for Student Health and Wellbeing Services' interactions which has been rolled out within the institution and across many other institutions:

"This is an ongoing project which captures the importance of not only the student mental health services, but all services across Student Health and Wellbeing". 

Winner

Kirsty Hutchinson

Highly Commended

Louise Fay

The judges were very impressed with Louise’s work and the way she'd made this accessible to a wide range of students.

Sustainable and Collaborative Working

An award to recognise internal or external collaboration and partnership working, which has a positive impact on service delivery in practice and student mental health.

Examples include work with academic departments, researchers, other student services teams, NHS, statutory services  - for example, safeguarding or suicide prevention boards. 

It could include research projects which have led to sustainable outcomes for service delivery.

We welcomed nominations from colleagues and external partners.

Nominees

Jay Johnson [University of Plymouth]

Jay is a Mental Health Adviser at the university and a colleague nominated him for the work he has done in setting up a walking group. Trialled in 2022 during University Mental Health Day, the Walk & Talk project “aims to support individuals’ wellbeing and mental health through connections with each other and their local environment”. The monthly walks are regularly oversubscribed and have successfully engaged members of the international student community. 

Feedback includes improved sense of calm, connecting with others, the local environment and nature.  Jay has also “developed a new relationship with Great Western Railways/Plymouth Active, successfully gaining funds for travel and refreshments as part of the new walking group for 24/25”.

Susan Lory and Emma Stratten [Southampton Solent University]

Sue, Therapy and Mental Health Manager, and Emma, Mental Health Adviser, were nominated by a colleague for their work on the Proactive Mental-Wellbeing System (PMS)  a tool that provides predictive information with 91% accuracy on groups of students who may be at risk of deteriorating mental health and wellbeing. The project is a collaboration between Southampton Solent University’s academics with AI expertise, the Therapy and Mental Health Team and the Students’ Union to co-create an initiative based on an AI predictive model for proactively managing students' mental wellbeing:

“the data enables us to better understand our students, improves our proactiveness in managing students’ wellbeing and provides evidence-based indicators that support reviews of university-wide policy changes and developments in areas such as timetabling”.

Winner

Jay Johnson

Highly Commended

Susan Lory and Emma Stratten

The judges felt the project and data could be very promising moving forward, and encouraged a nomination in next year’s awards! 

Professional Practice

Using our Capability & Conduct Framework as a guide, with examples demonstrating good practice across a minimum of three areas. We asked for practical examples of how the nominee has demonstrated good practice in these areas. 

This might include promoting mental health literacy, working with specific cohorts of students, or mentoring a new member of staff.

Nominations were for Accredited Practitioners only.

Nominees

Toby Nathan [University of the Arts London]

Toby is a Mental Health Adviser and was nominated by a colleague who noted that he is "kind, empathetic and caring", moreover, he is a "very skilful and experienced mental health practitioner who offers professional and specialised support for students".  

Clare Copley [Leeds Conservatoire]

Clare is a Senior Occupational Therapist and was nominated by a colleague for leading the creation of the Occupational Therapy service, her work in promoting Dyspraxia/DCD (Developmental Co-ordination Disorder) amongst the team and mentoring colleagues: 

"Clare has been an immensely supportive manager and mentor to me as a newly qualified occupational therapist. She facilitates my clinical supervision and continuously encourages me to engage in professional development. Clare has given me confidence in my own professional practice which has allowed me to confidently deliver occupational therapy interventions".  

Winner

Clare Copley