Staff Wellbeing
At the University of Cambridge, we are focussed on embedding a preventative, evidence informed approach to staff wellbeing that supports a healthy, sustainable and inclusive workplace community.
We promote staff wellbeing by providing information, guidance and practical resources that equips everyone with the tools, training and support needed to be well and perform at their best.
Our staff wellbeing support reflects the commitment set out in our People Strategy: “We will make health and wellbeing an integral part of our working environment by offering a more coordinated and accessible range of health and wellbeing services”.
This commitment is reflected in our Staff Support Services, Staff Wellbeing team, mental health and wellbeing training offer, termly programme of wellbeing events, University wide network of Wellbeing Advocates, range of wellbeing programmes, and central Staff Wellbeing SharePoint site that brings all resources together in one accessible hub. Alongside the University’s central provision, many departments also offer additional wellbeing activities and support to complement this work.
Staff Wellbeing Action Plan
The Staff Wellbeing Action Plan 2026–2029 sets out the University of Cambridge’s commitment to supporting the mental, physical and emotional wellbeing of all staff. Developed through extensive consultation, including workshops, focus groups, surveys and benchmarking research the plan provides a preventative, evidence informed framework for creating a healthy, inclusive and sustainable working environment.
It outlines the University’s priorities, the five strategic wellbeing pillars guiding our approach, and the shared responsibilities of the institution, leaders, managers and individuals in fostering a compassionate culture where everyone can thrive. The plan also details the practical steps we will take between 2026 and 2029, supported by clear accountability and an ongoing commitment to evaluation and continuous improvement.
Explore the Staff Wellbeing Support Offer
The University offers a comprehensive programme of inhouse training designed to support the mental health and wellbeing of all staff. This includes a wide range of options, from foundation level one-hour webinars to longer workshops, as well as half day and full day in person training for both staff and managers.
The offer includes:
- Mental Health Awareness
- The 5 Ways to Wellbeing
- How To Have Wellbeing Conversations
- Supporting Your Mental Health and Wellbeing at Work
- Supporting mental Health and Wellbeing in Your Team:
- Wellbeing Advocate Training
Staff at the University of Cambridge can access further information about all available training and resources on the Staff Wellbeing SharePoint site.
The wellbeing calendar provides a wide range of wellbeing opportunities supporting mental, physical and emotional health. It features sessions focused on learning, movement, social connection, peer support and relaxation, including mental health training, mindfulness, menopause cafés, physical activity sessions and health checks.
Activities are delivered both in person and online, with the majority available to staff at no cost.
The calendar of events is a collaboration effort to between the Staff Wellbeing Team, The Staff Counselling Service, The Sports Service, The Biomedical Campus, and The West Hub.
The Wellbeing Advocate Network helps embed a proactive wellbeing culture across the University, ensuring that the diverse experiences of staff are reflected in local wellbeing initiatives. Each department is encouraged to nominate at least one Wellbeing Advocate to develop and champion wellbeing activity, supported by the central Staff Wellbeing team.
Wellbeing Advocates play a key role in fostering a positive and supportive workplace culture across the University. Their responsibilities include promoting University-wide wellbeing events, sharing regular updates on wellbeing activities, and guiding employees towards relevant internal and external wellbeing services.
Advocates attend monthly Wellbeing Advocate Network meetings, stay connected through the Teams channel, and represent their department’s wellbeing needs and concerns within the wider network. They also help ensure all employees are aware of who their local Wellbeing Advocates are, embedding wellbeing support throughout the organisation.
Staff interested in becoming a Wellbeing Advocate and joining the community can complete the application form available on Staff Wellbeing SharePoint site.
The University provides comprehensive support for staff experiencing perimenopause and menopause. This includes menopause guidance, reasonable adjustments, awareness training for all staff, specialist training for managers delivered by experts from Henpicked, and regular Menopause, Menstruation and More cafés held at the Biomedical Campus. In addition, a tailored eight week in person support programme offers practical guidance and dedicated space to explore key topics, helping to create a supportive, informed, and inclusive workplace community.
Meet the Team
“The University is committed to providing a healthy working environment that enhances the working lives of all staff. A workplace culture that supports wellbeing enables people to do their best work, helps attract and retain talent, improves engagement and satisfaction, and reduces sickness absence. Here at Cambridge, we take a whole workplace approach to wellbeing, prioritising mental, physical, and emotional health.” Jo Clarke, Staff Wellbeing Consultant
“By focusing on a whole workplace approach to wellbeing we can provide training and support to empower staff to look after themselves at work. It is great to have Wellbeing Advocate network that stretches across the University and have so many people championing wellbeing opportunities and mental health support in the workplace.” Eleanor Martin, Staff Wellbeing Coordinator
Contact the Staff Wellbeing Team: staffwellbeing@admin.cam.ac.uk
