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Health and Wellbeing
We aim to look after your mental and physical health at work.
We’re committed to providing a healthy working environment and improving the quality of working lives for all colleagues. Our wellbeing strategy aims to support our mission and core values of freedom of thought and expression, freedom from discrimination and the recognition that the university’s employees are its greatest asset.
We integrate wellbeing in all work activities to create a positive environment that promotes colleague engagement, performance and achievement.
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Our wellbeing strategy’s ultimate goal is to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of university colleagues at work and to prevent work-associated ill health. This encompasses the physical, mental and social health of colleagues and recognises that employees’ values, personal development and work within the university contribute to their overall wellbeing at work.
We have a large workforce that is geographically, culturally and linguistically diverse. The wellbeing strategy reflects this diversity and provides direction on related issues and challenges in order to support the development of effective solutions and outcomes.
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Our cycle-to-work scheme promotes healthy lifestyle choices, as well as a sustainable method of travelling into work. In simple terms, colleagues who take part choose a bike and/or accessories from one of the designated partner stores. Repayments are made via salary sacrifice - allowing you to make savings on income tax and National Insurance - and can be spread over 12 or 24 months. You can find full details on the university cycle scheme in the travel information document.
Occupational Health & Safety Service (OHSS) is a central support service of a Health and Safety Team and an Occupational Health Team.
The services that it delivers include:
- provision of advice and support
- dissemination of information
- training
- auditing
- health assessments
- health surveillance
- oversight of the university’s health and safety management arrangements
Our comprehensive EAP is provided by Health Assured for colleagues and postgraduate students. It offers a 24-hour helpline and online web portal that can provide you with support through any of life's issues or problems.
Benefits of an EAP:
- 24/7 support
- immediate assessment by a trained counsellor registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and immediate support for urgent cases
- counselling provision – you’ll be assigned a named BACP counsellor if taking counselling
- support for managers, who can speak confidentially to advisers about concerns or relationships with colleagues
- a stress and anxiety absence intervention programme
- online portal and health hub app providing access to articles, leaflets, webinars and wellbeing programmes
The EAP provides support for:
- stress and anxiety
- work advice
- family issues
- relationship advice
- childcare support
- financial and legal information
- alcohol, drugs and gambling issues
- medical information
- bereavement
- consumer issues
JustAsk is a service offering confidential support and direction to university colleagues who are feeling stressed at work. It’s operated by a team of volunteers who can provide a listening ear and support to their colleagues on a range of issues.
Newcastle University carers’ network provides a platform for carers to ask questions, share practical advice or information, or simply meet others in a similar situation to their own. Informal meetings take place approximately every two months.
The Colleague Wellbeing Hub is a dedicated space designed to support the health and happiness of our university colleagues. Here, you can access a range of tools, resources and initiatives designed to enhance mental, physical and social wellbeing. Current employees can access this through top tasks on SharePoint.
Want to talk to someone about life issues in general? Don't know where to turn? Why not contact one of the university chaplains? The chaplains offer support to colleagues and students and are happy to talk to you, whether you are of a particular faith or none.
We have three recognised trade unions for colleagues at Newcastle University with dedicated sites.
- unison
- university and College Union
- unite
We provide a Muslim prayer space in the King George VI building. This is accessible to all colleagues and students using their smartcard. We manage the space in accordance with the Faith Space Policy. There are two quiet rooms available in the Urban Sciences Building, which can be used for prayer and reflection.
Newcastle University sports and fitness centre
Our Newcastle University Sport and fitness centre is open to students and colleagues all year round. You can join as a member with one of our exceptional value for money packages, or many of our activities and facilities are also available on a pay-as-you-go basis.
No matter your level of skill and experience, we have an exciting range of fitness and sporting opportunities for you to enjoy and help to keep you fit and healthy. You’ll find a huge range of options to get you moving and we can help you stay on track, whether you’re playing a racket sport, building your strength and fitness in the gym or sweating in a group fitness class.
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Our other top-quality facilities include squash courts, sports hall, studios, and grass and artificial pitches.
New Colleagues at Newcastle University are entitled to a 1 month free trial period at the Sport & Fitness Centre. This free trial entitles those to use our gym, fitness classes and sports hall activities. All activities must be booked prior to arrival. Bookings can be made up to two weeks in advance using our App or Online Service. Pleaase note that booking restrictions apply, only one booking per activity can be made each day.
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With the Simplyhealth cash plan, you can claim money back towards the cost of medical check-ups and treatment - you can cover just yourself or a partner and/or children too!
Some regularly used health benefits include:
- optical – includes prescription glasses, contact lenses and prescription sunglasses
- dental – claim for check-ups, scale, polish and treatment
- complementary therapies – includes physiotherapy, chiropractic, osteopathy, acupuncture and homeopathy