Nearly 3,000 students attended WellFest 2024 at Hartpury University and Hartpury College on Thursday 19 September. The annual event took place in the Hartpury Equine Arena and has been part of the institution’s Freshers’ Week programme for 11 years.
WellFest highlights the range of health, safety, and wellbeing support services on offer for young people at Hartpury and further afield, bringing together a number of organisations and charities.
Guest speakers from organisations including the Charlie Waller Trust, Freedom Personal Safety, Attention Seekers, ARAMARK, Victim Support, and Gloucestershire Police discussed issues such as self-care and mental health, body confidence, sexual safety and healthy relationships, hate crime awareness, and addiction.
A range of exhibitors including Gloucester and District Samaritans, Papyrus Suicide Prevention, Hollie Gazzard Trust, GayGlos, Young Glos, The Eddystone Trust, Meningitis Research, YourSpace, Gloucestershire Young Carers, Gloucester City Safe, South Western Ambulance Service, and Gloucestershire Farming Friends all provided valuable information to attendees across a variety of health, safety, and wellbeing topics.
Lesley Worsfold, Deputy Principal Resources at Hartpury University and Hartpury College said: “WellFest is an integral and important part of Freshers’ Week every year and is one of the best ways for our college and university students to learn more about the huge variety of support services on offer here on campus and across our region.
“We feel very lucky to have partnered with so many organisations deeply committed to helping young people and are so grateful to those who attended this year.
“Having the event take place at the start of a new academic year really helps our students, particularly those coming to Hartpury for their first year of study, to be aware of the extensive 24/7 support available to them.”
If students are having difficulties, support is available from the Wellbeing Centre who offer a daily term-time drop-in at 10.30am, 2.30pm and 8.30pm (Mon to Thurs), 10.30am and 2.30pm (Fri) and can refer students to the onsite Student Counselling Service or Student Assistance Programme.
The Safeguarding, Wellbeing and Health teams offer a secure, caring and confidential environment where students feel valued and respected. They provide wellbeing support and free short-term counselling, as well as signposting and connecting students with other services where appropriate. Hartpury University’s Achievement and Success Centre as well as Hartpury College’s Aspire learning support facilities work to help students with academic support, learning support and wellbeing support.
The Wellbeing Chaplain will help with spiritual and faith issues and offer a listening ear when students need someone to talk to.
