The concept of wellbeing and its relevance for policy and practice

David Somervell, Head of SRS Futures

The University Edinburgh addressing staff & student wellbeing

GLADS: Good Lives and Decent Societies

Seminar 2 How does looking at problems through a wellbeing lens help identify appropriate goals and

priorities?

14 May 2014, National Museums of ScotlandUnderstanding the usefulness of taking a wellbeing approach and incorporating it in decision-making and action

The University• A huge employer - over 11,000 staff in a variety of

academic and support roles • Currently reviewing SRS Strategy• How does it address staff and student wellbeing in

its daily operations?

• provide the highest quality learning and teaching environment for the greater wellbeing of our students

• make a significant, sustainable and socially responsible contribution to Scotland, the UK and the world, promoting health, economic growth and cultural wellbeing.

University of EdinburghStrategic Plan 2012-16: Mission

“The University of Edinburgh is in a strong and positive position and is making a significantcontribution to the economic, social and cultural wellbeing of Scotland.”

Professor Sir Timothy O’SheaPrincipal and Vice-Chancellor, The University of Edinburgh

be inclusive, supportive and collegial inour approach, which is underpinned byprinciples of dignity and respect, equalityand diversity, health, safety and wellbeing.

For staff:

promote student health, wellbeingand safety.

For students:

Edinburgh Manifesto

Thinking about sustainable solutions includes thinking about what kind of world we would like to work towards and why - exploring what we mean by, for example, ‘sustainable development’, ‘progress’ or ‘well-being’.

Aims

To enable a better understanding of the usefulness of focusing on wellbeing to address major societal challenges and to explore ways to embed wellbeing in planning, decision and action.

Key themes

• health, work & welfare• place & space• life course perspective

A Common Challenge

health (physical and mental)

place/space

work/employment

Wellbeing

academia/research

policy

practice

Wellbeing

Departments participating

Points for discussion

University

Principal

Corporate Services Group

VP Nigel Paul

Procurement

Karen Bowman

Social Responsibility &

SustainabilityDave Gorman

Estates and BuildingsAngus Currie

Colleges

Heads of College

SASG

Sec Sarah Smith

IS

VP Jeff Hayward

Who we are

Alexis Anya DaveCaro David Joe

Joy Liz Matt

Wendy

Michelle

Finn

Sunnah

Jane RuthMartinLucy

Alan

Who we are

Who we are• New support department• Helping everyone to do

things better• 3 main working areas – – Practical programmes– Strategy & governance– Future scanning

What we doWe support staff and students to create a sustainable and socially responsible environment at the University and beyond.

• Supporting a culture of change• Pursuing excellence and innovation• Working collaboratively as part of the local and global

community

Healthy Working Lives

• http://www.ed.ac.uk/staff-students/staff/health-wellbeing/about/healthy-working-lives

Healthy Universities

• http://www.ed.ac.uk/staff-students/staff/enhancing-student-experience/initiatives/sep/healthy-university

Student Life / Student Experience

What sort of Universitydo we want to be?

…responsible?

Zero hours contracts

Child labour

Investment funds

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