Wellbeing Ambassadors
The Wellbeing Ambassador programme aims to promote physical activity benefits on mental wellbeing and health and to encourage students who may be experiencing mental health problems to be more active.
With 50% of mental health problems established by age 14 and 75% by age 24, colleges are integral in supporting students to look after their mental wellbeing and health and to help them form good habits for life.
Former Wellbeing Ambassadors took different approaches to the role but some of the work they did included:
- Organised events and social media takeovers during Mental Health Awareness Week, World Mental Health Day and Time to Talk Day
- Created a mental health in sport display
- Organised wellbeing walks
- Created a questionnaire to get an understanding of students’ mental health and what support could be provided by the college
- Produced posters about looking after mental health
- Drop-in visits during tutor time
Expectations of Colleges
There is a limit of two* Ambassadors that can be recruited per programme. Each individual student can only be involved in one of our Ambassador or Activator programmes.
Colleges signing up to the Wellbeing Ambassador programme must be able to fully support their Ambassadors in their role. As part of their training each Ambassador will create their own wellbeing action plan which should be reviewed and discussed with a college member of staff.
Therefore, a college must be able to name a suitably trained member of staff to safeguard the wellbeing of each individual Ambassador. This member of staff should be:
- A member of staff trained in mental health first aid/ mental health awareness/ safeguarding, or a mental health professional
- Confident in discussing mental wellbeing with students
- Able to review and provide feedback on an Ambassador’s personal wellness action plan
- Able to signpost an Ambassador to suitable support service if they need it
*If colleges wish to house more ambassadors and activators due to the size of the college, number of campuses or college group we advise you consider the amount of support you will be able to provide these students to ensure they have a positive experience and contact us to discuss the options.
| What’s Expected of a Wellbeing Ambassador | What’s NOT expected of a Wellbeing Ambassador |
|---|---|
| To promote and inspire other students to take part in physical activities | Not there to solve problems, diagnose problems or offer medical advice around mental health |
| To raise awareness of the benefits of physical activity on mental wellbeing and health | Not there to prescribe activity programmes |
| To support and encourage students experiencing mental health problems to be more active | |
| Not to make assumptions | |
| Complete online CPD training and Self Development Portfolio |
Benefits for Ambassadors
To support them in their role all Inclusion Ambassadors will:
- Online and a regional training to provide you with the knowledge and confidence needed to be a Wellbeing Ambassador
- Support to create your own wellbeing action plan
- Develop key personal and employability skills such as verbal communication and empathy.
Benefits for Colleges
- Develop a volunteer workforce to better promote provision for students' mental wellbeing and health
- Improved promotion of local physical activity sessions to students
- Personal and employability skills developed in Ambassadors
How to get involved
To be involved colleges must be signed up to the AoC Sport Student Leadership Programme. To register your college, please complete this sign-up form.