Wrexham Glyndwr University’s community wellbeing work is one of the Nation’s Lifesavers

Wrexham Glyndwr University’s work on a Warm Wales project boosting the well-being of people across North Wales has been featured in a national report.

The university is a key partner within the 2025 Movement, an innovative ‘coalition of the willing’ which is aiming to tackle avoidable health and housing inequalities by 2025 in North Wales.

Its work with the movement on the Healthy Homes, Healthy People project has now been featured on Universities UK’s report ‘The Nation’s Lifesavers’ – a focus on the exceptional 100 universities working to keep Britain healthy.

The stories in the Nation’s Lifesavers report have been selected to highlight how the value of universities stretches far beyond the educational opportunities and economic impact they provide.

With the North Wales-based Healthy Homes, Healthy People project, Mental Health and Well-being BSc students at Glyndwr are volunteering their time on work placements, where they attend home visits to support people in four key areas – home and personal safety, money maximization and support, affordable warmth and health and wellbeing outcomes.

Wrexham Glyndwr University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Claire Taylor, said: “The idea behind the visits – and the project – is to engage, encourage, educate and empower the people visited. That means that, after the visits, they are more able to take control and make changes and access support where needed.

“This is an innovative community-based approach, with students and key agencies working together to improve health and well-being and to tackle health inequality on a regional level. It’s just one of the many ways Wrexham Glyndwr University involves itself across our region as part of our civic mission.”

Jo Seymour, Project Manager for Warm Wales said “It’s wonderful that the work we have delivered through our Healthy Homes, Healthy People project has been recognised. The project takes a person-based approach to address need, with the aim of improving health and wellbeing by creating homes which are safe, sound, warm and secure for all. Having the students volunteer with us has been a great addition, enabling us to reach more householders in need of support.

 “Our vision, mission and values provide a great fit with the University’s civic mission and the work of the 2025 movement. On every visit we make and every resident we meet, we want to ensure that their basic needs are met so that they can fulfil their potential. Tackling fuel poverty, reducing avoidable health inequality and improving health and wellbeing, all make a real difference. Warm Wales sees partnership working as a key function and integral to the delivery of this project and are excited about where this will take us in the future.”

Professor Taylor added: “We are delighted that our work has been recognised as part of The Nation’s Lifesavers campaign. The campaign shows just how universities across the country not only have a direct effect on their students and staff – but also across wider society.”

You can find out more about the Nation’s Lifesavers – part of the Made at Uni campaign – here: www.madeatuni.org.uk