The Awards Showcase is a window into the projects that won, or were runners up, in the 2026 UHR awards. Each session will focus on one award category and bring together the individuals who led and delivered the projects. Presenters will give a quick overview of their projects before having a facilitated conversation about the opportunities and challenges the activity brought about. The audience will get the opportunity to engage directly with the presenters to ask any questions.
WINNERS: University College London - UCL Mental Health Training for Student-Facing Staff
Workplace Health (Wellbeing)
Supporting the supporters: Mental Health Training for Student-Facing Staff is a strategic mental health training initiative designed to enhance staff wellbeing while improving the student experience. Developed in response to rising student mental health needs, the programme was co-designed with staff and rapidly adopted across the institution.
Within three months, more than 500 staff enrolled. Evaluation using matched pre- and post-training data (N = 218) demonstrated statistically significant improvements across all measures, including a 27% increase in knowledge of referral processes and a 22% increase in confidence initiating wellbeing conversations.
By reframing mental health training as a preventative staff wellbeing intervention, the programme reduces emotional strain, strengthens safeguarding consistency, and builds institutional resilience. It demonstrates how HR-led innovation can deliver
measurable improvements in staff capability, organisational performance, and sustainable student support at scale.
RUNNERS-UP: University of Birmingham - UoB Wellbeing Programme
HR Executive Office - Pay and Reward Team
The University of Birmingham’s Wellbeing Programme demonstrates how a strategic, community driven approach can deliver meaningful impact without relying on large budgets. By aligning activities with national awareness moments and the University’s communications calendar, the programme ensures support is timely, visible, and relevant throughout the year.
The team brings together academics, clinicians, staff volunteers, and external partners to deliver high quality sessions on topics such as breast health, men’s health, sleep, gut health, and financial wellbeing. Many sessions regularly reach capacity and generate waiting lists, demonstrating strong engagement and trust in the programme.
A redesigned flu vaccination initiative has achieved 100% uptake for two consecutive years with zero waste, removing practical barriers and normalising preventative health behaviours. Staff report greater confidence discussing wellbeing and are increasingly engaging earlier with health and financial concerns.
The programme is strengthening organisational culture, improving staff experience, and positioning the University as an emerging sector leader through national collaborations, including with FinWELL. Its scalable, sustainable model shows how institutions can embed meaningful wellbeing support into everyday working life.
Tagged : Engagement and Wellbeing, Enhancing HR Services, Events, Showcasing Good Practice
Type : Meeting
