Surrey Staff Wellbeing Hub
It can feel difficult to talk about your wellbeing in the workplace, however opening up to someone and seeking support can make a real difference.
‘Let’s Talk’ is here to break down barriers, encourage meaningful dialogues and signpost to a wide array of wellbeing and mental health support provision here at Surrey and beyond.
About the Let's Talk staff wellbeing hub
Wellbeing and welfare sit at the heart of our community and we are proud to provide and facilitate a number of services to support our staff with their wellbeing and welfare needs. These services are widely used and valued across the community; however, we want to do more to support and empower individuals to improve their own wellbeing and support others who may be facing challenging times.
On this hub you will find thought provoking expert advice, powerful case studies, and exciting opportunities for people to come together at free events. We will also be signposting to our expansive service provision throughout.
Here at Surrey, we are firmly committed to ensuring that all our staff feel safe, respected and supported. In last year's People Survey, you told us there’s still room to improve in this respect. We’re listening and hope that Let’s Talk will empower you to better promote your health and wellbeing.
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Where to access help & support
Access our Employee Assistance Programme
BHSF RISE offers you free 24/7 wellbeing, financial and legal support and advice. To access the support services simply click on the BHSF Rise website and login using our University-wide code: 208431
Report an incident through Report + Support
Report + Support is the place to report an incident of harassment or abuse, and access support. This confidential service enables you to report something anonymously or with your contact details.
Need occupational health support or advice?
The University’s Occupational Health provider, Cordell Health, can advise managers and employees on health-related matters which may affect you at work. Find out more, including how to get a referral.
Download the mental fitness app, MyMindpal
As part of BHSF Rise you can access a mental fitness app that helps keep your mind in tip-top shape and take the edge off of life’s challenges. Simply download MyMindPal and register using the BHSF code BHR2SFSE.
Do you or someone else need urgent help?
If you or someone else is in crisis, contact the emergency services.
If you need immediate help on campus, call Campus Safety on 01483 683333.
Supporting each other
Contact your local Wellbeing Champion
A staff-focused initiative to help embed wellbeing into the fabric of our community.
Contact the Religious Life & Belief (Chaplaincy) team
Supporting the faith and belief aspects of all members of the University community.
Join an Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Network
Enabling staff to connect, socialise, and discuss issues relevant to their communities.
Supporting our students
Does a student need urgent help?
If a student needs immediate help on campus, call Campus Safety on 01483 683333. There are also a number of helplines they can call or text.
Concerned about a student's wellbeing?
Complete a 'Report a Wellbeing Concern' form which will raise any concerns you have about a student’s mental health directly with the Centre for Wellbeing.
Got a safeguarding concern?
Are you concerned that a student is experiencing harm including exploitation, domestic, emotional, physical, financial or sexual abuse? Then report it.
Support available to students
The University offers a range of confidential services to support students, including mental health advice, counselling services and much more.
If a student needs self-help support or help outside of the Centre for Wellbeing they can access our Student Assistance Programme, Health Assured.
Students can call the confidential helpline 24/7, 365 days a year on 0800 030 5182 or download the Wisdom app for access to a library of resources using the University's code: MHA268152
Training opportunities
Surrey is a place where everyone can achieve their potential and we are pleased to offer all staff a range of learning and development opportunities to help enhance your skills and capabilities.
All staff should ensure they have completed the essential e-learning such as Diversity in the Workplace, Race Equity and Unconscious Bias to help them to be aware of important equality, diversity and inclusion principles in their work and interactions with staff, students and visitors.
Staff Wellbeing Training
At Surrey, we are firmly committed to ensuring that our students feel safe, respected and supported and their wellbeing and welfare are of critical importance.
In collaboration with various student-facing teams across the University, and alongside the Head of Wellbeing and Welfare, we have collated, streamlined and clarified wellbeing focused training needs and opportunities for staff, based on their level of contact with students’ wellbeing.
Our new wellbeing training matrix enables staff to fulfil their roles safely by helping them to understand the different levels of training, knowledge and skill required for their role. The matrix breaks down what’s expected of staff in terms of training, and which sessions will equip them the relevant tools and techniques to conduct this area of their roles effectively.
The new matrix outlines essential, recommended and optional training sessions that staff should attend based on their level of involvement with supporting student wellbeing.
Line managers of staff within these areas can use the matrix to record and monitor achievement so we encourage all staff with line managing responsibilities to familiarise themselves with the matrix and utilise it when discussing training needs and requirements with their staff, especially during probation and appraisal meetings.
Group 1a
Clinical teams: Front-line staff with direct responsibility for welfare and pastoral care (staff and students). High possibility of involvement in crisis support
Relating teams: Centre for Wellbeing Counsellors, Mental Health practitioners
Essential training
Safeguarding Training Cylix*
Prevent/ Advanced Prevent for Managers
LGBTQI+ Awareness
Sexual Misconduct and Harassment training (including SVLO Awareness)*
*Staff requiring this training will be emailed to request completion
Recommended training
Study Drugs**
Eating Disorder Awareness
Trauma awareness**
Sexual Assault Referral Centre Open Day (SARC/RASASC)
Caroline Spring Dealing with Distress***
** Email centreforwellbeing@surrey.ac.uk to request training
***Email centreforwellbeing@surrey.ac.uk to request training. The cost of training must be covered by the staff member's department.
Group 1b
Non-clinical teams: Front-line staff with direct responsibility for welfare and pastoral care (staff and students). High possibility of involvement in crisis support
Relating teams: Campus Safety, Thrive Well, Religious Life and Belief, Disability & Neuroinclusion, Senior Personal Tutors, Centre for Wellbeing and Disability & Neuroinclusion administration teams
Essential training
Mental Health First Aid two-day course
Supporting Distressed Students (in person)
Grassroots Real Talk about Suicide
Safeguarding Training Cylix*
Prevent/ Advanced Prevent for Managers
LGBTQI+ Awareness
Sexual Misconduct and Harassment training (including SVLO Awareness)**
ASIST (Campus Safety team Leaders only)
*Staff requiring this training will be emailed to request completion
Recommended training
Eating Disorder Awareness
Trauma Awareness**
Mental Health Awareness for Managers (for those with line management responsibility)
Sexual Assault Referral Centre Open Day (SARC/RASASC)
Study Drugs**
Caroline Spring Dealing with Distress***
ASIST (Thrive Well only)
Optional training
ASIST** (everyone else - please ensure you have your line manager's approval)
** Email centreforwellbeing@surrey.ac.uk to request online training.
***Email centreforwellbeing@surrey.ac.uk to request training. The cost of training must be covered by the staff member's department.
Group 2
Front-line staff with involvement in welfare and pastoral care.
Medium possibility of involvement in crisis support. Regular need to provide signposting advice
Relating teams: MySurrey Hive Front Desk and Case Coordinator Teams, MySurrey Hive Second Line support teams (such as Student Money, International Student Advice and Visa Compliance), Student Receivables, Events and Communities Team, Residential reception staff, Library staff, Student Success and EDI, Personal Tutors, PGR Supervisors, OSCAR, Research Degree Administrators, Doctoral College staff Line Managers, Team leaders of Group 3
Essential training
Mental Health First Aid one-day course
Supporting Distressed Students
Grassroots Real Talk about Suicide
Safeguarding Training Cylix*
Prevent
*Staff requiring this training will be emailed to request completion
Recommended training
Mental Health First Aid two-day course
Mental Health Awareness for Managers (for those with line management responsibility)
LGBTQI+ Awareness
Study Drugs**
Sexual Misconduct and Harassment training (including SVLO Awareness)**
Optional training
Eating Disorder Awareness
Sexual Assault Referral Centre Open Day (SARC/RASASC)
** Email centreforwellbeing@surrey.ac.uk to request training
Group 3
Staff with regular contact with students limited to brief interactions. Low possibility of involvement in crisis support.
Relating teams: Academic staff with non-Personal Tutoring responsibilities, visiting lecturers, PGR demonstrators, Programmes and Assessments teams, Accommodation, All other Receptionists, Employability, Careers and Placements, Widening Participation and Success, Line Managers/team leaders of Group 4 residential cleaners
Essential training
Supporting Distressed Students (online)
Online Prevent and Safeguarding training
Recommended training
Mental Health Awareness for Managers (for those with line management responsibility)
LGBTQI+ Awareness
Optional training
Eating Disorder Awareness
Sexual Misconduct and Harassment Training (including SVLO Awareness)**
Mental Health First Aid one-day course
Grassroots Real Talk about Suicide
** Email centreforwellbeing@surrey.ac.uk to request training
Group 4
Staff with indirect or minimal contact with students. Low possibility of involvement in crisis supportsis support.
Relating teams: All other Estates and Facilities student-facing staff, Catering teams
Essential training
Online Prevent and Safeguarding training
Recommended training
Supporting Distressed Students (online)
Optional training
Sexual Misconduct and Harassment Training (including SVLO Awareness)**
** Email centreforwellbeing@surrey.ac.uk to request training
Introducing the Sexual Violence Liaison Officer (SVLO) recording with Richard Carroll, Head of Student Counselling, Centre for Wellbeing
Looking after your physical health
Research shows that physical activity can boost self-esteem, mood and sleep quality, as well as reduce the risk of stress and depression. Surrey Sports Park and the wider University have teamed up to produce a new Staff Physical Activity and Wellbeing Hub. This hub is a one-stop shop highlighting all active wellbeing opportunities, including one-off events and activities that happen on a regular basis.
Join our SurreyMoves+ community
SurreyMoves+ is the free-to-use physical activity app for University of Surrey students and staff. It is a platform that tracks your activity, rewards your efforts and challenges you to reach your goals.
Useful resources
Explore our wide range of self-help resources and wellbeing-related University policies
Guidance and support for managing your team's wellbeing
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
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Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash
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Photo by Dylan Gillis on Unsplash
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Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash
Access products, discounts and offers to support you with your physical and mental wellbeing
Latest news and features
Unlock advice, reflection and case studies on a wide range of wellbeing topics.
Mental Health Awareness Week 2025, 12 - 18 May
This year's theme is "Community," emphasising the importance of social connections and participation for mental health and wellbeing. Explore our events.
Understanding Tailored Adjustment Plans
When a colleague requires workplace adjustments to enable them to effectively undertake their role (due to having a disability and/or a long-term health condition), a Tailored Adjustments Plan (TAP) is a good practice approach - find out more.
Stress Awareness Month 2025: #LeadWithLove
Stress Awareness Month is a time for you to take charge of your wellbeing and discover effective ways to manage stress. This year’s theme, #LeadWithLove, empowers you to approach yourself and others with kindness, compassion, and acceptance, regardless of the challenges being faced.
Share your story
Sharing your own experiences is a great way to start conversations, challenge stigma and encourage others to be more open about how they’re feeling. We’re on a mission to get the Surrey community talking and access to the support staff need. If you’d like to share your experiences by writing for us or sharing any top tips and advice, let us know!
Please email news@surrey.ac.uk
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