The University of New England is inviting staff and students to step away from their desks to connect with colleagues and friends by taking a brief jaunt around the campus, to encourage everyone to focus on their overall wellbeing.
The goal is to raise awareness of the importance of total wellbeing including physical, social, and mental health, providing a healthy campus that is not just about academic performance but also about fostering a broader health-focused attitude.
Mr David Schmude, Chief Executive Officer of UNE Life, said “the initiative born from FISU’s Healthy Campus programme, aims to enhance all aspects of well-being for students, staff and the campus community at large.”
“Our goal is to integrate these moments of movement and social activity into everyday life at UNE. We believe that a healthy campus is more than just academic excellence – it’s about nurturing both body and mind.”
“We’re delighted to see people actively engaging and enhancing their work-life balance while also promoting a healthy lifestyle.”
The Healthy Campus programme is part of the cultural change at UNE. UNE and UNE Life are on a mission to help promote and improve overall health at UNE. To achieve this, UNE Life will be hosting various events and activities to get both staff and students to prioritise positive outcomes for a better work life balance.
The Healthy Campus Walk is a series of monthly walks which began in October 2023, providing a great starting point for anyone wanting to get involved with the Healthy Campus initiative. It is a small first step, suitable for everyone, with the next walking event taking place on Wednesday 1st May.
The one-and-a-half-kilometre walk will start in the Ingred Moses Courtyard at 12.00pm, followed by a free nutritious light lunch by UNE Life Catering – a positive way to use your lunch hour!
“Alongside our walks, we’ve also hosted yoga, meditations, lunches and gatherings, an online walking challenge, participated in Tour De Rocks, and started a running club,” Mr Schmude said.
“As we approach the winter months, we are exploring wet weather options to ensure continuity in our efforts as well as more ways to engage our online community. We’re really happy to see so many students and staff engaging in these activities that enhance our social, physical and mental wellness.”
The International University Sports Federation (FISA) Healthy Campus programme is a global initiative to enhance all aspects of wellbeing for students and campus communities. The programme aspires to reverse the common trend of young adults compromising their health during their university life and is already having a wide-spread positive impact on the lives and lifestyles of university students.
“This is something we’re genuinely passionate about,” said Mr Schmude.
“Personally, I’ve had a lifelong involvement in sports from a young age, and I always feel excited to engage others in activities like this. It’s been truly rewarding to share this vision with my team, who have wholeheartedly embraced it – and worked really hard to bring the project to life.”
“We have remained committed to this initiative, and we are determined to sustain its momentum moving forward.”
To book a place on the Healthy Campus Walk, see the Healthy Campus Walk event page. To learn more about the Healthy Campus initiative see the UNE Healthy Campus website.
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