Dumfries
UWS Student Features in BBC Report on Seeking Mental Health Support at University
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The BBC is reporting today on concerns that the number of university students in Scotland seeking support for mental health issues has increased by two-thirds over the last five years. The BBC asked universities across Scotland for the numbers of students seeking some form of support. It found more than 11,700 students asked for help in 2016-17 compared with about 7,000 in 2012-13.
One of the students that the BBC have interviewed for their report was UWS student Connor Smith who was in his third year studying computer games development at the University of the West of Scotland when his close friend, who was also a student, took his own life.
We would like to take the opportunity to thank Connor for his participation and his acknowledgement of the value of coming forward to seek help from the University Counselling Team which you can find out about by CLICKING HERE
You can also make use of SilverCloud a programme that gives you secure, immediate access to interactive CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) modules designed to be motivational. If you are a UWS student you access it anywhere on your computer, tablet or mobile. To learn more CLICK HERE
Universities have recognised There is a growth in demand for mental health support over the last decade, in part, because the reality of studying in the UK has changed. Many students are balancing work, study and caring responsibilities. With student debt increasing and the job market remaining very competitive, students feel they have to achieve, perhaps more so than before.
You can view the BBC report on their news site at
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-45990384
If you are struggling with your own mental health, you can also contact:
- Samaritans free on 116 123 (UK and Ireland) – 24 hours
- Papyrus free on 0800 068 41 41 or text 07786 209697 if you’re under 35
- YoungMinds Crisis Messenger text YM to 85258 – Texts are free from some service providers
- Mind information for mental health telephone support
#WorldMentalHealthDay Remember We’re In It Together
Today (10th of October) is World Mental Health Day and this year the focus is on Young Adults.
Adolescence and the early years of adulthood are a time of life when many changes occur, for example changing schools, leaving home, and of course, starting university or a new job. For many, these are exciting times but they can also be times of stress and apprehension. In some cases, if not recognized and managed, these feelings can lead to mental illness.
The #mentalhealth of young people in Europe is a vital concern, where roughly 1 in 5 adolescents experience mental and behavioural problems in any given year.
As a School of Health educating people about mental health issues, the well-being of our own students is also a priority. So if you are a student and you are experiencing stress at University you may find this link useful.
If you are a student at UWS then this webpage may also be useful. Click Things not going well?
Shona McCarthy CEO Edinburgh Festival Fringe is our “Inspiring Woman” for November
Edinburgh is famous for many things including the world’s biggest annual arts event – the Fringe Festival. From the mayhem in the Royal Mile to a spooky underground stage, from free comedy in a bar to Shakespeare in booked-out theatres, and from those who want to just wander through the throng to those who plan their day with military precision, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe has something for everyone.
It takes a particularly singular individual to lead this type of event. As CEO of this world renowned cultural beacon Shona McCarthy brings a personal insight into her path to leadership and the challenges faced along the way. Shona McCarthy is no stranger to challenges. In fact, it’s almost as if she relishes them.
The Troubles in Northern Ireland started the same year Shona was born, and formed the backdrop to her childhood and helped frame her career. Culture quickly became the ‘safe space’ for Shona where conversations could take place that didn’t revolve around whether you were a Catholic or a Protestant, though these weren’t easy discussions to have. Those conversations have helped create a tapestry of experience and knowledge which has laid a path from her hometown to around the globe, and seen Shona help communities overcome some of the challenges they face. From programming Belfast’s flagship children’s film festival (Cinemagic) to securing a transformational UK City of Culture prize for Derry-Londonderry, to leading the world’s biggest arts festival, the message has always remained the same – communities matter, people matter and the arts have a vital role to play in generating change for communities and bringing people together.
Join Shona as our UWS Inspiring Women keynote speaker on the 26th of November at Midday and then join us for a tour of our new Lanarkshire Campus opened in September 2018.
To get your free ticket click here Inspiring Women November
@ASCPP Annual Celebration Lecture
The Alzheimer Scotland Centre for Policy and Practice Annual Celebration Lecture 2013 will take place next month on the 7th November 2018 between 3-5pm, at UWS Lanarkshire
This year the centre celebrates the outstanding contribution made to dementia education, practice and care within Scotland by Jenny Henderson. Jenny who lives in Dumfries and Galloway has made a lasting impact on dementia practice and education not just across her own region but nationwide.
She is a long-standing advocate for the care of people with advanced dementia, has promoted a Human rights-based approach to all dementia care and has a particular interest in palliative and end of life care.
This year Iva Holmerová, MD, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof. Chairperson of Alzheimer Europe, who is also a Visiting Professor linked to the Alzheimer Scotland Centre for Policy and Practice and UWS will deliver
“Henderson Celebration Lecture: Beyond Barriers: Ethical Dementia Care”
Join us on Wednesday 7th November from 2.45 pm for an exciting programme of mini-talks, award presentation and some singing!
To attend this FREE event we request that get registered at the following Eventbrite Link
Dumfries Death Café
The Year 3 Adult Cohort in Dumfries yesterday participated in a Death Café in class as part of the Holistic Practice Module.
A Death Café is a forum for a group directed discussion of death, dying and life in an informal setting usually over tea and cake. The aim is to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people to make the most of their lives. This has been extended to apply this to facilitating learning for student nurses. The Adult students were joined by their peers from the Mental Health student cohort who joined the conversations.
The session was focused on a menu giving a choice of starter, main and dessert choices of topics for discussion in relation to death and dying aiming to provide an informal forum to discuss this often sensitive topic in a safe environment with peers.
Examples of the topics were: how is death and dying portrayed in the media? How can health care professionals promote openness in discussing death and dying? How can we as health care professionals approach these topics with patients and families? How would you like to be remembered?
The students brought in a wonderful array of culinary delights to accompany the discussion, which was enjoyed alongside tea and coffee flowing freely along with the buzz of the chat. Lecturers participated in the cake and coffee as well as dipping in and out of the discussions at each table and facilitating conversation if needed.
The session was well evaluated overall by the students who seemed to have enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, a different way of discussing a difficult topic and of course there was CAKE!
Walking In Memory of Rena
Congratulations to Adult Lecturer Tony Wales and his family who took part in the Alzheimer Scotland Memory Walk held in in Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Park yesterday (Sunday 30th. September 2018). Tony and his wife and daughter were walking and rasing funds in memory of Tony’s Mother-in-Law, Rena who had lived with a Dementia-causing Illness.
Tony and his family like thousands of other people across Scotland were raisng money so that nobody need face dementia alone. If you want to help Tony and his family you can donate by going to this link on the Alzheimer Scotland webpage. Donate Here
There will be another round of Memory Walks next year if you would like to take part. Just look out for the Purple Footprint sign or go to https://memorywalksscotland.org/ to find out more
Graduations in Winter 2018
Our Graduation ceremonies are great celebrations of the success of our students and the commitment of the staff who support each student’s journey. A reception for graduates follows each ceremony and provides an opportunity to meet graduates and their guests.
Note that this year the winter ceremonies will be held as follows:
DUMFRIES CAMPUS
Both Dumfries ceremonies will be held in Crichton Memorial Church
Thursday 25th October at 11.30am
School of Business and Enterprise: All programmes
School of Education: All programmes
School of Engineering and Computing: All programmes
School of Media, Culture and Society: All programmes
Thursday 25th October at 2pm
School of Health, Nursing and Midwifery: All programmes
AYR CAMPUS
Both Ayr Campus ceremonies will be held in Troon Concert Hall
Tuesday 6th November at 11am
School of Business and Enterprise: All programmes
School of Engineering and Computing: All programmes
School of Health, Nursing and Midwifery: All programmes
Tuesday 6th November at 2.30pm
School of Education: All programmes
School of Media, Culture and Society: All programmes
LANARKSHIRE CAMPUS
All ceremonies will be held in the Town House, Hamilton
Thursday 8th November at 11am
School of Health, Nursing and Midwifery: All post-registration programmes,
Pre-registration Midwifery Programmes and BSc Professional Health Studies
School of Engineering and Computing: All programmes
School of Media, Culture and Society: All programmes
School of Science and Sport: All programmes.
Thursday 8th November at 2.30pm
School of Business and Enterprise: All programmes
School of Education: All programmes.
Thursday 8th November 2018 at 5.30 pm
School of Health, Nursing and Midwifery: Pre-registration Nursing programmes.
PAISLEY CAMPUS
All Paisley Campus ceremonies will be held in Paisley Abbey
Wednesday 14th November 2018 at 11am
School of Engineering and Computing: All programmes
School of Science and Sport: All programmes
Wednesday 14th November 2018 at 2.30pm
School of Business and Enterprise: All programmes
School of Education: All programmes.
Thursday 15th November 2018 at 11am
School of Health, Nursing and Midwifery: All pre-registration Nursing programmes
Thursday 15th November 2018 at 2.30pm
School of Health, Nursing and Midwifery: All post-registration programmes,
Pre-registration Midwifery Programmes, BA Integrated Health & Social Care, and BSc Professional Health Studies
School of Media, Culture and Society: All programmes.
#UniWestScotland THE Rankings Continue to Improve
Having climbed up The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide tables, UWS is now celebrating its third year in the Times Higher Education’s (THE) World University Rankings with a jump in our ranking there are well.
Within THE we have moved up 12 places from joint 60th in last year’s league table to joint 48th, out of 98, in the UK this year.
Globally, UWS has also moved up a full category moving into tyhe 401-500 category out of the 1,258 institutions the THE assessed in 86 countries worldwide. This is an increase from our position last year when we were placed in the 501-600 category.
Given that Times Higher Education states there are more than 20,000 universities in the world, being ranked in the top 401-500 is a considerable achievement for the University and one that makes us all feel extremely proud.
Amongst the performance indicators used by THE World University Rankings, we are ranked in the top 250 universities worldwide for citations, revealing the scope of our research influence which is measured by capturing the number of times our published work is cited by scholars globally.
We were also recognised for our international outlook, which measures the ability of the University to attract international students and staff, in addition to levels of international research collaboration.
Professor Craig Mahoney the Principal and Vice-Chancellor at UWS said
“I’m immensely proud to continue to see UWS climb THE World University Rankings, especially when the scale and global weighting of the list is taken into account. Our new position is a testament to the hard work and effort put in by colleagues and students across the institution, and as such, I want to express my real gratitude to everyone involved in this latest achievement for UWS.”
“Being Home” Report Welcomed by Scottish Parliament
The ‘Being Home’ report was welcomed at a Scottish Parliament reception on Wednesday evening (26th September 2018) The event brought together a wide range of people, including MSPs and housing organisation stakeholders, to reflect on the findings of the research.
The report looks at the role housing plays in supporting people living with dementia has found that housing is a key consideration to living well, but is an underdeveloped resources within the current integration agenda for health and social care. 75% of people in Scotland living with dementia are at home, however, the research reveals there is very little housing available that is suitable for people living with dementia and a lack of suitable accommodation appropriate to their changing needs. It also suggests that a clearer understanding is needed about the experiences of people living with dementia in order to enable them to stay at home safely and for as long as they can.
The report was published by the Alzheimer Scotland Centre for Policy and Practice and was funded by the Life Changes Trust and produced in collaboration with Alzheimer Scotland, BRE Group and Angus Care and Repair.
While the report points to some examples of good practice in housing and dementia in Scotland, these solutions are not being developed or more widely implemented. Moreover, planning and building regulations currently do not support development of housing and services to meet the needs of Scotland’s ageing population particularly those with dementia. The report recommends that design principles for dementia should be part of planning for all new builds and that more knowledge is available about how to adapt and maintain older properties to support a person with dementia in their current home. It also recommends that housing and dementia are aligned within policy discussions and decisions. It also calls for the creation of an online resource to act as a ‘one stop shop’ for people with dementia, their carers, families and housing, health and social care professionals. The online tool would give them access to a wide range of information including general housing advice, support and funding.
Dr Margaret Brown, senior lecturer, School of Health, Nursing and Midwifery, UWS and lead author of the report, said:
“We are very much looking forward to sharing our findings in relation to the role housing plays on those living with dementia in Scotland. This kind of evidence-informed report is a major part of what the ASCPP focuses upon and we work hard to influence policy and practice-based solutions for those living with dementia. We hope everyone attending finds the session informative and policy makers and health, social care and housing practitioners come away with some thoughtful recommendations for best practice.”
Anna Buchanan, interim CEO and programme director at Life Changes Trust, said:
“People living with dementia and their carers are emphatic about the importance of being able to live in their own home for as long and as independently as possible. In order to do this people need the correct support at the right time, which is sooner rather than later. When help is provided at an early stage, people can remain in their own homes for longer which is better for them and for the public purse. This report highlights priority areas for attention so that people affected by dementia are better informed about their housing options and are able to take decisions and plan for their future.”
You can download the report at:
https://www.uws.ac.uk/news/report-reveals-housing-key-for-living-well-with-dementia/
UWS Climbs the Rankings in The Times and the Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2019.
The University of the West of Scotland has jumped up the rankings in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide league tables for 2019.
We’ve climbed eight places this year to become Scotland’s highest-ranked modern university, which is fantastic news and a true testament to hard work and dedication from students and colleagues across the institution.
Our UK ranking jumped from joint 100th previously to 92nd in the latest edition of the league table, which has also seen us placed 9th. in Scotland.
UWS have excelled in the Good University Guide’s metrics, ranking in the top three of Scottish universities for teaching excellence, and in the top five for student experience and graduate prospects.
Professor Craig Mahoney, Principal and Vice-Chancellor stated
I’m immensely proud of our performance in the rankings, particularly now as we’re recognised as Scotland’s leading modern university. It’s also pleasing to see that our commitment to teaching excellence has been recognised, especially given our focus on being a 21st Century university which provides student-centred, personalised and distinctive, learning and teaching experiences.
We cannot underestimate this achievement for the University, and I’d like to both congratulate and thank everyone involved.
UWS Health, Nursing & Midwifery 