Exeter Wellbeing Network
Hello and a warm welcome to the Exeter Wellbeing Network!
We are a supportive community of staff and PGRs who want to improve our wellbeing through meaningful connections and open conversations about mental health. We host wellbeing-focussed events for colleagues based at Streatham and St. Luke's.
If you are looking for information about activities at Penryn, Falmouth and Truro, please visit the Cornwall Wellbeing Network page here.
You can view our recurring events below.
What the group is for:
- Open-minded conversations about how you are really feeling and doing
- An opportunity for social connection
- A supportive environment where all feel welcome
- An invitation to come along to activities and socials
What the group is not for:
- This group is in no way to be used as a replacement for professional help – e.g. counselling, therapy or advice from healthcare providers
- This is not group therapy, and we aim to be mindful about how we speak about what we’re going through so that others will not feel overburdened
- This group is not intended to be for advocacy, consultancy or policy feeding into the University – we can redirect you to the suitable spaces to do so
You can find information about University support for staff on the Colleague Wellbeing pages https://www.exeter.ac.uk/staff/wellbeing/
We launched in December 2022, have over 250 members and are always keen to welcome new people into our community.
If you would like to join our Teams site and be added to our mailing list, please fill in this form: Join the Wellbeing Network.
If you have any difficulties with the form, or have any other questions, please email us: wellbeing-network@exeter.ac.uk
This page is for the Exeter branch of the Wellbeing Network, which runs events across the Streatham and St. Luke's campuses. If you are based in Cornwall and are looking for wellbeing-focussed activities across the Penryn, Falmouth and Truro campuses, please visit the Cornwall Wellbeing Network webpage.
All staff and PGRs are welcome to come along to any of our recurring events. Complete our members form to join our Teams site for access to online and additional events.
You can also learn more about the Swedish tradition of fika, and the Wellbeing Network, by watching our spotlight session from 16th October 2024. For any questions, please email us at wellbeing-network@exeter.ac.uk
Tuesdays
- StaffCraft (Streatham & Online) - drop in any time between 12:00-14:00 in the Forum Library Foyer or on Teams
- Luke'sCraft (St. Luke's) - drop in any time between 12:30-13:30 in South Cloisters 3rd Floor Foyer
Wednesdays
- Singing at St. Luke's (St. Luke's) - drop in any time between 12:00-13:00 in St. Luke's Chapel
- Fika Wednesdays (Streatham) - drop in any time between 12:00-14:00 in the Forum Library Foyer
- Community Volunteer Garden (St. Luke's) - drop in any time between 12:00-14:00 in the Garden
Thursdays
- Walk & Talk (Streatham) - join us from 12:30-13:00 meeting outside Northcote House Reception
- Wool and Fibre Craft Group (Streatham) - drop in any time between 12:30-13:30 in the Queens Senior Common Room
- Pub Trip (Streatham) - drop in any time from 17:00 on the last Thursday of the month at The Imperial
Fridays
- Fika Fridays (Online) - drop in any time between 11:00-11:30 on Teams
- Pub Trip (St. Luke's) - drop in any time from 17:00 on the second Friday of the month at The Mount Radford
What is Fika?
Fika is the Swedish custom of pausing, often for coffee and a snack, during the work day to connect with others. We like to refer to it as coffee, cake, and connection and have adopted the ethos of Fika across some of our events. Come along and join us to take a break and meet others.
I can't attend in person events, what is there for me?
We have our weekly Fika Fridays online at 11am, and there is also an option to join our Tuesday Staff Craft sessions online too. In addition, our Fika Roulette (where you are matched with a new colleague to connect with each month) matches colleagues from different locations, and you can arrange to meet online.
I don't drink alcohol, can I attend the pub socials?
Absolutely, these events do not have a focus on drinking, and many of our members do not drink alcohol.
Meet the Wellbeing Network Committee
Dave Newport
Committee role:
Co-chair
University role:
Education Support Administrator
Having faced long-term challenges with mental health, Dave was keen to be part of a community where people can openly share how they’re truly feeling; he co-founded the network in 2022 with this vision in mind. He believes that meaningful connection is vital for wellbeing and hopes the network will be a space where people can come together and feel supported.
Dr Caitlin Kight
Committee role:
Co-chair
University role:
Lecturer in Education Studies
Dr Caitlin Kight's research topics include self-study, reflective practice, and social justice, all of which are integrally linked to wellbeing. She is interested in promoting compassion and kindness in the workplace and in society more generally.
Tasha Hammond
Committee role:
Co-chair and Cornwall Events Coordinator
University role:
PhD student within the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy
Tasha joined the Wellbeing Network Committee as a representative for PGRs, after experiencing mental health difficulties during her own postgraduate journey. She wants to challenge the stigma surrounding mental health by promoting open conversations about anxiety and depression, and to provide support to other PGRs through shared experiences and signposting to support services.
Jen Keywood
Committee role:
Cornwall Representative
University role:
Internal Communications Officer at FX Plus
Jen is based in Cornwall at our Penryn campus, the campus shared by the University of Exeter and Falmouth University. Working at FX Plus, and on behalf of both universities, Jen joined the committee to support the network’s presence in Cornwall and to help provide all staff with opportunities to connect with colleagues and engage in activities which have a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing. She is passionate about the development of our shared communities and networks and believes that creating a sense of place for everyone is important. Jen is also a Network Representative for the Parent and Carers Network in Cornwall and, as a mother of two young children, has a particular interest in initiatives supporting parents and promoting good mental health and wellbeing practices within the workplace.
Terri Watkins
Committee and University role:
University Mental Health Charter Programme Manager
Having been on her own wellbeing journey over the past few years Terri wanted to join a like-minded community and share experiences with others. As her work at the University is focused on developing work on mental health she also wanted to connect with colleagues about this topic and give something back.
Victoria Grimberg
Committee and University role:
Fikanista
Victoria is passionate about bringing fika into people's lives and workplaces. Her aim is to connect people with each other through the Swedish custom and tradition of fika. Fika is a way for us to connect with each other, a tradition which brings people together. She joined the Wellbeing Network committee to promote wellbeing and to connect with people from across the University with each other. Find out more about her and fika here.
