Hartpury University and Hartpury College welcomed students to its 13th annual WellFest on Thursday 17 September, bringing together specialist speakers, charities, support organisations and emergency services for a day focused on health, wellbeing, safety and prevention.
A long-established fixture in the Hartpury calendar, WellFest is designed to give students accessible, practical information on a wide range of issues that can affect their wellbeing, while connecting them directly with organisations that can offer advice and support.
This year’s event featured 16 speakers, more than in previous years, alongside a wide range of exhibitors and interactive activities.
Topics covered throughout the day included mental health, personal safety, addiction, domestic abuse, sexual violence, disordered eating, body image, healthy eating, cyber security, alcohol and drug awareness, gambling harms, road safety and water safety.
Lesley Worsfold, Chief People Officer at Hartpury University and Hartpury College, said: “Reaching our 13th WellFest is a fantastic milestone and demonstrates the importance Hartpury places on taking a proactive and preventative approach to the wellbeing of our students.
“WellFest gives our students the opportunity to hear directly from trusted specialists, ask questions and have open conversations about issues that can sometimes be difficult to discuss.
“With 16 speakers taking part this year, alongside such a wide range of exhibitors and activities, the event continues to grow while keeping its focus firmly on giving students the knowledge, confidence and awareness they need to look after themselves and support others.”
Among the speakers was Spike Aware, which focused on raising awareness of spiking, while the Hollie Gazzard Trust spoke about domestic abuse, stalking and violence against women and girls.
GRASAC provided information around sexual violence, while Gloucestershire Police delivered a cyber security awareness session.
Mental health was a prominent theme throughout the day. The Charlie Waller Trust spoke about mental wellbeing, while Brave Mind highlighted how sport can help support the mental health of young people.
Patrick Foster from Gam-Ed explored addiction and the importance of maintaining good mental health, while Recovery for All provided information for those affected by gambling harms, homelessness, drugs or alcohol.
Via also attended to provide alcohol and drug intervention advice, while Light Minds Collective and Talk Well focused on body image, eating disorders and disordered eating.
Aramark shared advice around healthy eating, and the Royal Life Saving Society delivered water safety guidance.
Health Assured and Howdens also highlighted student assistance and wellbeing support available across the education sector, while singer-songwriter Luke McAuley provided live music as part of the event.
Alongside the speaker programme, WellFest featured a busy exhibition area where students could speak directly with charities, community organisations, emergency services and wellbeing specialists.
Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service took part in a vehicle extrication demonstration and also delivered a road safety session, while Gloucestershire Constabulary’s Camera Enforcement Team brought one of its speed camera vans to campus.
Students could also take part in 3D Driving Awareness Go Kartz, designed to encourage greater awareness around driving and road safety.
Other exhibitors included Gloucester Street Pastors, Queer Futures and the LGBT Partnership, Centred Horseplay, Pets as Therapy, Sportily and Grundon Waste Management.
Hartpury’s agricultural community was also represented, with Gloucestershire Farming Friends, RABI and the Farming Community Network attending the event. A tractor was also brought across from the Hartpury Farm.
Interactive activities included a smoothie-making bike provided by Zigs Exercise and a four-person climbing wall from 270 Climbing Park.
Cancer awareness organisations It’s in the Bag and CoppaFeel also attended, encouraging students to be aware of their bodies and recognise potential signs and symptoms.
Sustainability formed another strand of the event, with Think Travel, Go Community Rail Partnership, Hartpury Sustainability and the Forest of Dean Climate Action Partnership among the organisations taking part.
WellFest is an important part of Hartpury’s wider approach to student wellbeing, helping to normalise conversations around health and safety while giving students early access to information and support.
By bringing specialist organisations onto campus and creating an informal environment in which students can engage with them, WellFest supports Hartpury’s emphasis on prevention, education and early intervention as part of the wider student experience.
