An innovative professional development day to support staff and student mental wellbeing
Overview
This residential event will provide a creative response to the known pressures experienced by professionals within higher education today and provide them with inspirational tools and techniques to promote better mental wellbeing in the students they support. It will equip attendees with the skills and knowledge to embed holistic, practical, low-cost activities that draw on readily available local resources and surroundings whilst offering an opportunity for attendees to reflect on their own practices and take advantage of this retreat-like event to revitalise their approach to wellbeing support.
The event will draw reference from theoretical underpinnings of recent research demonstrating the value of holistic, immersive experiences in nature and how this supports emotional wellbeing, and the development of sustainable approaches to work and study, warding off stress and potential burnout. The event will reinforce the appreciation of physical movement, green spaces, and the importance of healthy working practices.
Content
This event will include a range of activities, workshops and talks demonstrating holistic techniques that can be embedded into practice at delegates’ own institutions, including:
- Eco-therapy
- Somatic movement/Vicarious trauma prevention
- Look again – The art of mindful photography
- Bouldering therapy
- Working therapeutically outdoors
- Prioritising wellbeing – Creating a wellbeing dashboard
All participants will receive a participant handbook filled with links to recent research, resources and guidance on how to run your own sessions.
While delegates will experience these therapeutic activities first-hand, the sessions will also focus on how these can be delivered in a HE setting to support practice, regardless of previous experiences or confidence levels.
Programme
This is a residential event, arriving on Wednesday 12 June 2024, with a full day of training on Thursday 13 June 2024. The venue is Glenmore Lodge in Aviemore where accommodation and all activities are based.
The best way to travel to Glenmore Lodge is to fly to Inverness airport. From there you can take a bus or train to Aviemore. From there Glenmore Lodge is roughly 15 minutes away in a taxi. Alternatively there are buses. For more information please click here.
Included as part of the registration fee:
- Wednesday 12 June:
- Dinner with optional activities in the evening (some additional fees may apply to certain activities)
- Accommodation - This is provided across Glenmore Lodge and includes twin rooms, chalets and lodges. Please note, all accommodation will be shared in order to accommodate everyone at the venue. If you would like to share accommodation with a specific person please email the names to events@advance-he.ac.uk after booking. Whilst we can’t guarantee you’ll be together, we will endeavour to make this happen. If no requests are made, we will assign you a room.
- Thursday 13 June:
- A full day of activities, workshops and talks
- Breakfast and lunch is included with refreshments available throughout the day
To view the full programme, please click the button below.
Programme
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Speakers
Allie Scott, Mental Health and Counselling Manager, UHI
Allie is the Mental Health & Counselling Manager at the University of the Highlands and Islands. Allie has worked in a number of roles within the voluntary sector including working in community education with young offenders, those with mental health problems and those unable to engage in formal education. Allie is a BACP accredited pluralistic counsellor, the chair elect of the Scottish Heads of University Counselling Services (SHUCS), executive committee member of the Heads of University Counselling Services (HUCS) and co-chair of the Mental Wellbeing in Higher Education Expert Group, for advanced HE and The College Counselling Network Scotland Group.
Ruth Allen, Geo-therapist & Author
Ruth is an embodied outdoor psychotherapist, author and facilitator working primarily outdoors in landscape, and online. Combining her background in geology, with innovative body-based techniques drawing on a multitude of teachings and influences, she offers therapy, mentoring, workshops, classes and adventure retreats designed to help clients connect with their bodies and the rest of nature in expansive new ways, for the greater whole-health of planet and people. Her second book 'Weathering' is published in March 2024.
Géraldine Dufour, HE mental health consultant, Therapeutic Consultations
After working for over 20 years in universities, Géraldine set up Therapeutic Consultations to work directly with institutions on issues related to student mental health, counselling, and wellbeing. Former Head of Counselling at the University of Cambridge and working as a consultant and supervisor with institutions across the sector, Géraldine brings current and practical knowledge to her practice.
Andy Cross, Registered Social Worker and student Person Centred Counsellor
Andy is a registered Social Worker and prior to working in student services at the University of Cumbria, worked in Community Mental Health Teams within the NHS. Before this, he delivered outdoor education for 10 years, specialising in youth development, using the outdoors as a psychosocial model for change.
He recently discovered Climbing Therapy being delivered on the continent and subsequently designed a Bouldering Psychotherapy course, which is now being delivered at the UoC. Andy feels he’s now coming full circle, combining his two passions - outdoor activities, and psychotherapy.
Tessa Tilbe (MBACP. MA)
Tessa is a qualified Person-Centred Counsellor and registered member of the British Association for Counsellors & Psychotherapists. Tessa has worked in the field of mental health for 6 years and is currently the Interim Mental Health & Wellbeing Manager at the University of Cumbria, where she piloted the Bouldering Psychotherapy Course with her colleague. In her free time Tessa enjoys walking in the Lake District, yoga, and socialising with friends and family.
Sean Tierney
I'm a Counsellor, Outdoor Therapist and Supervisor based in Glasgow. Since 2019, I have been working outdoors therpeutically with individuals, groups and organisations. In 2023, I reached the personal milestone of 1000 client hours outdoors and I've been providing training, team away days, guided walks and Nature Connection Sessions to organsations across Scotland for the last few years too.
The outdoors and what they may mean to you is open to interpretation, but for my practice, I think of the outdoors as both a setting and tool for therapeutic change. The benefits of spending time in nature is well-documented and - no pun intended - feels very natural, and I'm really passionate about making therapy more accessible, less hierachial and ultimately more responsive to client's individual needs.
Louise Broda
Louise is currently training as a Feminine Embodiment Coach, following her passion for all things to do with the body! She has been a Physiotherapist for 20 years, working with the MoD for the last 13 years. She has always understood the intricate connection between the mind & body, also having an MSc in Sport Psychology and a trauma informed approach to addressing chronic pain.
After suffering burnout herself, she decided to share all she'd learned by writing a self-help book on Compassion Fatigue. Besides loving personal development, she loves nothing more than being outside on her paddleboard.
