Cedar was involved in supporting another Grand Challenge this summer from 2nd to 6th June 2024. This year, the focus was upon Equity in Access to Support for Mental Health Difficulties. Four enquiry groups were provided to explore ways to improve access for people from a range of groups with diversity including Gender Non-Conforming, University Students, Different Ethnicities or Neurodiversity.

Again the students produced a range of excellent and innovative outputs to address the equity challenge. A great job was done on the Friday during the presentations and poster displays discussing and promoting their solution to the mental health equity Grand Challenge.

Subsequent ongoing discussions involving students in the University Student and Gender Non-Conforming enquiry groups have been undertaken with Mark Sawyer (Head of Student Wellbeing), and Professor Paul Farrand (CEDAR) to consider potential to take developments forwards. Such developments could make a helpful University contribution working towards achieving the Office for Students University Mental Health Charter.

A Psychology and Sports Science student is also considering using her group output to inform her 3rd year dissertation looking at ways to enhance mental wellbeing through the University sports societies. Attendance at the NHS Talking Therapies launch of the LGBTQ+ Positive Practice Guide was also facilitated for students within the Gender Non Confirming enquiry group.

Rose Wysocka – Lecturer, Cedar – was one of the key members of staff supporting from Cedar:

“Grand Challenges is a one-week programme for undergraduate students to devise innovative and creative solutions to real world challenges. I was involved in supporting and facilitating the Mental Health projects, where students identified a range of different challenges relating to mental health in our society today. The students focused their projects on improving support for diverse populations, including those who are students, gender non-conforming, and neurodiverse. Each of the projects delivered fantastic presentations, with some impressive outputs such as websites, peer support initiatives and wellbeing tools. The projects demonstrated how much can be achieved when students with a passion come together, to create new initiatives which can drive change at the University and beyond!”