World Wellbeing Week (26 – 30 June) aims to celebrate and highlight the different aspects of wellbeing including physical, mental and emotional health, purposeful work and financial security. It also offers an opportunity to consider wellbeing within organisations, communities and our environment.

The pandemic revealed a capacity for change, with people adapting mentally and physically all over the world. It brought with it different ways of thinking and a new-found resilience and the need for self-care has never been so important.

Explore the wide range of wellbeing support, information and training available to staff at Sussex:

Staff Wellbeing Hub

The Staff Wellbeing Hub is the home for wellbeing resources with information relating to mental, physical and financial wellbeing. There is a dedicated managers’ page and a resources page with wellness action plans, stress risk assessments, return to work guides and more. You can also access the Staff Wellbeing Hub via MyView.

Employee Assistance Programme

Our Employee Assistance programme is provided by Spectrum.Life and offers you and your family access to confidential financial, physical, mental wellbeing support available 24/7, 365 days a year.

Spectrum.Life offers up to eight structured counselling sessions plus in-the-moment support, medical helpline, legal support and more. There is an on-demand health and wellbeing platform, with health tools and programmes including a digital gym and wellbeing support content.

Menopause Network

We have a menopause policy, trained menopause champions and an active menopause Teams chat with over 60 people. We host menopause cafes and have a dedicated menopause page on the Staff Wellbeing Hub with support, training and guidance for line managers as well as those experiencing symptoms. We are also working towards becoming an Accredited Menopause Friendly Employer.

Mental Health First Aid network

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training teaches people how to spot the signs and symptoms of mental ill health and feel confident to guide someone to appropriate support. Our Mental Health First Aid network, made up of staff across the University, has nearly 40 active MHFAiders.

If you’d like to hear more about the MHFA or Menopause networks please email Wendy Carey at: w.carey@sussex.ac.uk.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Unit promotes, co-ordinates and embeds equality, diversity and inclusion across the University community. Their webpage page also offers information about our networks and support groups below.

Networks and support

Staff networks and support at Sussex include:

• BAME staff network
• LGBT+ Staff Network
• Neurodiversity Staff Support Network
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champions
• Ethnic Minority Staff Network
• Staff Disability Network
• Graduate Associates Staff Network
• Sussex Parent and Carer network
• Gypsy, Roma and Traveller People
• Trans and Non-Binary Staff Network
• Long COVID Staff Support Network

We have a zero tolerance approach to bullying and harrassment, and offer the following support for those who may need it:

• Dignity and Respect Champions
• Report and Support tool

Occupational health

Heales Medical are our occupational health provider, offering support, advice and recommendations to help maintain the wellbeing of staff at Sussex. Managers can refer their team member via a portal on our staff pages.

Human Resources

The team includes Payroll, Pensions, Organisational Development (OD), Reward and Benefits, HR Business Services, International HR and Occupational Health. Find out about each department and access information including policies, guidance, terms and conditions, management support, flexible working guidance and much more.

Health and Safety

View information about mandatory training, incident reporting, emergencies and business continuity, governance and a map of defibrillators located at Sussex. You can also find information on who to contact in an emergency and why we need to call Security before 999.

Sussexsport

Sussexsport offers a wide variety of fitness activities for staff with something for everyone. With two sports facilities on site and a comprehensive timetable of activities, membership options, and access to a sports injury clinic it’s worth taking a look at their webpage to find out more.

Reward and benefits

The Reward hub is packed with information about rewards and benefits for staff including pension, discounted gym membership, cycle to work scheme, life assurance, health cash plans and more. You can also access Reward Gateway which offers some great staff discounts and a wellbeing hub with information for mind, body and wallet!

University of Sussex Chaplaincy

Located in the Meeting House, Chaplains are available for the whole campus community and offer welcoming informal support to those both with and without faith. Regular meditation sessions are held on campus in the serenity of the Meeting House chapel.

Organisational Development

OD supports the staff to realise their full potential with workshops, training, coaching, mentoring, LinkedIn learning, LearnUpon and more.

Online learning

LinkedIn Learning and LearnUpon offer training in a broad range of subjects including wellbeing-related sessions. They are typically less than an hour long and can be accessed at a time and place that suits you.

As a member of staff at Sussex, you have free access to LinkedIn Learning which has more than 16,000 courses covering a vast range of personal and professional development topics. You can log in using your Sussex ITS username and password (eg. ab123@sussex.ac.uk). For more information on how to get started, visit the ITS LinkedIn Learning webpage.