Communities can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and give us a sense of purpose. Creating strong connections with others through similar values and interests can help remind us that we are not alone. For Mental Health Awareness Week we are highlighting some of the sustainability activities we support that bring communities together while helping our environment.
Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) takes place this year from Monday 12 May until Sunday 18 May. The theme for this year is ‘community’ which explores and celebrates our communities, and how they promote good mental health and wellbeing. Communities can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and give us a sense of purpose. Creating strong connections with others through similar values and interests can help remind us that we are not alone. For Mental Health Awareness Week we are highlighting some of the sustainability activities we support that bring communities together while helping our environment.
There are many different types of community, and you can belong to more than one. A sense of community is created at the University of Salford in many different places and ways. You might find your community in your team or course, one of the student societies or our colleague networks, or in some of the extra-curricular activity like Salford SU activities, our menopause cafes, running club, or crafty campus group. Our Sustainability Team also create opportunities to bring our University and local community together while helping our environment. We spoke to some of our colleague community heroes involved in these projects.
Paula Courchene – Careers Consultant (School of Science Engineering & Environment) Library, Careers and Enterprise
Paula is a member of the Library, Careers and Enterprise Green Impact team. Green Impact is our sustainability engagement programme, run internationally by SOS-UK. It’s a simple, fun and flexible way for departments to improve their environmental performance and promote sustainability at the university, whilst receiving recognition for their efforts and impact.
What is the benefit on your mental health?
I have been part of the Green Impact team for the last three cycles and it has been a positive experience for me, as I have been able to connect with members of the department who share the same set of values and commitment to making our office space more environmentally sustainable, which fosters a sense of belonging at the university. Connecting with colleagues on a regular basis and working towards a shared goal, helps to improve mental health as we are working on meaningful activities that bring a collective sense of achievement and accomplishment.
What other benefits are there?
The Green Impact scheme itself calls on team members to complete actions that contribute to the university’s sustainable goals. A number of these actions are linked to increasing the use of outdoor spaces on campus and our team have arranged outdoor meetings and tree trail walks in Peel Park for staff. Spending time in the outdoor spaces on campus has a positive effect on mental health as it can reduce stress and promote relaxation, as well as encouraging us all to take time away from our desks and be more active.
Why would you encourage others to get involved?
After completing individual actions during the year, I have really enjoyed the end of year celebration where all teams across the university are recognised for their work on the Green Impact scheme, it is great to hear about colleagues work, share ideas and see the collective results of the previous years’ work.
How can colleagues join in if they are interested?
If you are new to Green Impact, you can join an existing team if there is one in your area or set up a new team if there is not. If setting up a new team, please contact the Sustainability Team.
You will need to register by visiting the Green Impact registration page. Once you have a team set up, we recommend meeting up and making a plan, and initially completing the ‘Getting Started’ actions. You can then start completing actions in your relevant toolkit, and/or projects if you wish.
You will also need to join the Green Impact Microsoft Teams group.
Zoe Pegg, Environmental Management Coordinator, Estates and Facilities
Zoe is a regular participant in our hedgehog friendly litter pick events. The University of Salford is a Platinum accredited Hedgehog Friendly Campus which means we have taken action to protect hedgehogs (and other wildlife) on our campus and beyond, by increasing hazard management, the number of hedgehog habitats and community engagement. Our regular litter picks are open to colleagues, students and the local community to help us create a cleaner, safer environment for our hedgehog friends and other wildlife!
What is the benefit on your mental health?
It’s a good break from work where I get to spend time outside and stretch my legs. I always feel a sense of calm because I’m focused on getting every bit of litter and taking in my surroundings, whereas if I went on a normal walk for my mental health I get distracted by my own thoughts!
What other benefits are there?
Theres also a sense of pride that I’ve prevented plastic and litter from polluting our park and river, and seeing all the wildlife come out recently in Spring really reminds me why I do it. It can be overwhelming thinking about the amount of pollution but litter picking is a really easy way to combat that helplessness.
Why would you encourage others to get involved?
A lot of people don’t have the time to get out in nature, but the litter picks are right on your doorstep, in beautiful Peel Park and easy to fit into your work day as you don’t have to join for the full hour.
How can colleagues join in if they are interested?
Our Hedgehog Friendly Litter Picks in Peel Park take place all year round in collaboration with the Salford Ranger Team. They occur every other Tuesday at 12-1pm, meeting at the Peel Park Ranger Base which is at the back of Maxwell building in the park. No previous experience is needed and all equipment will be provided. Contact sustainability@salford.ac.uk for more information.
Michael Christopher, Composites Technician (Mechanical Engineering), School of Science, Engineering & Environment
Michael is a regular volunteer in our Community Growing Space at the rear of Clifford Whitworth Library.
What is the benefit on your mental health?
Because my role involves the use of unsustainable materials and processes, having a garden space in which to grow plants and give something beneficial back to the planet helps me to balance the morality of what I do. It also acts as a meditative practice, somewhere I can chill knowing I had a hand in the creation and nurturing of this space.
What other benefits are there?
Growing a variety of herbs, flowers and vegetables that are not commonly available fulfils my curious nature. I have big ideas about how we can integrate more natural ways of living into our modern work-life and this feels like the gateway to enacting change.
Why would you encourage others to get involved?
You get to experience a sense of community, a connection to nature and take away fresh food when it’s ready to harvest.
How can colleagues join in if they are interested?
Our space is open and available for all to get involved. We hold regular group sessions every Wednesday 12:30-13:30 so come along to do some gardening, or just to spend some time outdoors and have a chat. The session is open to all, no experience is necessary – we’ll learn together as we grow. All equipment and resources will be provided, but please feel free to bring your own gloves/tools/seeds if you’ve got some. Even if it’s raining, just bring a brolly! Join our Community Growing Space Teams Group to stay up to date.
Find out more ways to get involved and be more sustainable on our Sustainability webpages