ECR Staff Wellbeing

Wellbeing

There are numerous staff wellbeing support services and initiatives available to ECRs. Below are examples of the support and initiatives available to you as a member of staff:

The wellbeing of their staff is of high importance to the University of Exeter. We have a range of both internal and external support services, should you be in need of help. All of this support is listed on the Colleague Wellbeing webpage. Below are some links to particular staff wellbeing support:

- Mental Health Support

- Helping Someone else

- Self-Care

- Peer Support

- Menopause Guidance

Please see the drop down below which lists some of the support networks available at the University. 

The University's Occupational Health team are here to support all staff with concerns surrounding health both physical and mental, stress and those with a disability. You can either self refer to the occupational health team or your manager may refer you if they are concerned about your health. Full details of the wide range of support offered by the Occupational Health team can be found on their website. 

Here at the University of Exeter, we want to make sure that all members of staff feel safe and are treated with Dignity and Respect. 

You can find more about the work the university does on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion on their webpages. They have a wealth of support and resources available to you including:

Should you experience anything that does not meet the University's high standard you can speak to one of our Dignity and Respect Advisors or report an issue confidentially through our Speak Out webpage.

The University offers a range of regular weekly/monthly groups focused around specific interests. These are open to all staff and PGRs. Some are run by a professional/experienced coach, teacher or group leader. Others are staff organised social groups. Groups range from walking groups and role-playing games to crafts, singing and mindful meditation. Many are free and those which aren’t, you can pay the instructor directly. You can see the timetable for current online and in-person groups here as well as seeing those we usually run, AND check this link for the free classes by the Sports Park.  

If you are interested in setting up a group, please email colleaguewellbeing@exeter.ac.uk.

You can also explore the University's gym, swim and fitness classes membership options, and the £10 per month wellbeing membership, Ex-Hale.

If you're finding things tough at the moment, Employee Assistance Programme Spectrum.Life is a fast, effective, free and confidential programme which provides you and your family members with immediate help and support in managing any concerns that might affect your personal wellbeing. They offer unlimited access for you and your family, to a telephone helpline and a chat function available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year so never feel like support is out of reach.

They cover a wide range of areas; you can see the areas they can support you with here.

If you haven’t tried it yet, it is definitely worth exploring how they might help you and your family. To access the service simply click to login HERE with the access code: EAPSPECTRUMLIFE or call 08081962016 (Freephone).

There are a variety of networks to support staff while at the University; you can find a full list here.

Colleague Grief and Bereavement Group

The University Chaplaincy and Staff Wellbeing teams have launched a Colleague Grief and Bereavement Group - a support network for colleagues experiencing any form of grief or bereavement. You could be at any stage of this experience including, for example, a recent loss, a loss some time ago, facing the future loss of someone close, miscarriage, or the 'loss' of someone still living in the case of advanced dementia where personality change and memory loss can be common.  The group is a safe space for sharing/listening and practical/reflective activities with much mutual support. This is open to all colleagues regardless of worldview or religious faith.  Click here to find out more and to attend a meeting.

The Exeter Research Networks are interdisciplinary, virtual research groupings. They bring together University of Exeter researchers and external partners to tackle pressing societal challenges.

Giving to others is demonstrably good for your mental wellbeing and is one of the Five Ways to Wellbeing. Whether by volunteering your time or donating to a charity you care about, the impact is positive for you, for the community you’re contributing to and, depending on the activity, often great for physical health, the environment and for connecting with others socially.

Find out more on the University's Volunteering and giving webpage.