Hartpury University and Hartpury College have demonstrated their unwavering commitment to inclusivity by starting 2025 with a flurry of activities and events.
Firstly, the annual Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity (EDI) Celebration Week was extended to encompass the entire month of January for the first time. This initiative aligns with Hartpury’s 2030 strategy, emphasising the importance of inclusivity within the institution.
The month-long celebration kicked off on 13 January with events and activities planned by the Hartpury Students’ Union. Over the course of the month, twelve different sessions were hosted during lunchtimes, featuring a mix of online and in-person events. These included guest speakers, coffee mornings, yoga sessions, and the Hartpury Health Loops (walk/run), offering 1km, 2km, and 3km tracks scouted by the Hartpury Active team.
Engaging in nature-based activities like the walk/run is well-documented to improve mental health by reducing stress and anxiety, boosting mood, and enhancing sleep quality. This event encouraged colleagues to be kind to themselves and others, providing a valuable opportunity for staff from various departments to connect and catch up. The Hartpury Health Loops will continue twice per month from the end of March, following their success.
Guest speakers covered a variety of important topics including mental health, neurodiversity, LGBT+ perspectives, faith and religion, and sexual harassment. The international student experience session sparked thoughtful discussions on celebrating diverse cultural events throughout the year, starting with the lunar new year. Plans are already underway to organise minibus trips to local city centres like Birmingham and Bristol, where weekend-long celebrations are well-established.
A highlight of the month was the return of Ismail Kholwadia, who delivered the third instalment of the Unreflected Reflections documentary series. This session was attended by colleagues from senior management, the Sports Academy, the marketing department, and across the university, with all attendees enjoying homemade samosas from the Friendship Café in Gloucester.
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many appreciating the variety of sessions, the flexible attendance options, and the opportunity for reflection. One attendee remarked, “From every session, I took away suggestions for me to put into practice and also to take forward for further conversation.”
A visual campaign ran on the digital screens in Graze to support celebrations of LGBTQ+ history month in February. The campaign enabled us to share important stories about the history of the LGBTQ+ movement, as well as education around the different colours on the pride flag, prominent members of the LGBTQ+ community, and terminology. Messages around kindness and respect were also highlighted.
Hartpury is now also a member of the Race Equality Matters organisation, and colleagues have been invited to join a free online events starting March, plus an invitation has also been extended to colleagues from the Friendship Café who are hosting a community event that aims to demystify Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.
Dr Linda Greening, Head of Inclusivity and member of the EDI Forum, emphasised Hartpury’s dedication to ensuring positive experiences for its increasingly diverse student population. She said: “Events like these provide members of the Hartpury community with opportunities for cultural competency enhancement, which is also important beyond the time we spend on campus.”
For more information on Hartpury University’s commitment to equality of opportunity, you can read the Access and Participation Plan here.
Learn more about equality, diversity, and inclusivity at Hartpury here.
Both Hartpury University and Hartpury College continue to lead by example, fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated and valued.
