Mental Health Awareness Week 2025

09:30-10:00

ONLINE                                        

ACTIVITY: Finding Stillness in the Storm - guided meditation

Life can feel really hard at times. The demands of work, family and the daily grind can accumulate, impacting both our mental and physical wellbeing. And, because we feel so busy, we neglect the importance of slowing down and pumping the brakes for a chance to reset.

That’s why, for Mental Health Awareness Week this year, we’re inviting you to take a moment to pause and recalibrate. Rebecca Reed (founder of Siendo) will be joining us on Zoom to take us through a 20-minute guided meditation so that you can start your Monday off the right way. No matter whether you're new to meditation or a meditation Jedi, this session will provide you with a beautiful moment to pause, reconnect, and find steadiness within.

Because, when the world feels loud - we create quiet.

11:00-12:30

ONLINE

TRAINING: Difficult conversations and the importance of giving and receiving feedback

We will look at the core components of difficult conversations and what 'difficult' means to different people. We will also explore why it is important to give and receive feedback. Throughout this session, we will identify some clear, practical steps to help people feel more confident in having these potentially more difficult conversations and to move away from avoiding them. A practical workshop delivered by the MPLS EDI team.

11:00-12:00

IN-PERSON

ACTIVITY: Mindfulness for beginners

Capacity: 16

Join our experienced trainer Susan Hargreaves on a mindfulness session designed for beginners. Mindfulness can help reduce stress and anxiety, enhance self-awareness and improve focus. The session will introduce the concept of how we pay attention, and why it is a foundational skill for life. Event provided by MPLS and the Radcliffe Science Library.

12:00-13:00

IN-PERSON

ACTIVITY: Cosy Community at the RSL

Capacity: 20

Take some time to visit the Radcliffe Science Library’s Wellbeing Room, where there are lots of games, puzzles, crafts, books, soft sofas and beanbags. We have booked the room this Mental Health Awareness Week to encourage people to come together in a relaxing environment and take some time for themselves within a supportive wellbeing community. A number of MPLS Mental Health First Aiders will also be there, getting involved and happy to talk.

13:00-14:30

ONLINE

WEBINAR: Exploring conflict and mental health

In this webinar Steve Hindmarsh, expert mediator and Director of Steve Hindmarsh Ltd, explores the relationship between conflict and mental health. Steve will focus in more detail on manipulative styles and approaches, and how power works (and changes!) between people.

9:30-12:30

IN-PERSON                                   

WORKSHOP: Exploring and Overcoming Imposter Phenomenon (IP)

Capacity: 30

Most people experience self-doubt at some point in their life. We may not feel as knowledgeable as our background suggests or we may attribute our success to luck, secretly feeling that we are not as competent as others perceive us to be. Such thoughts and associated emotions are sometimes referred to as impostor phenomenon (IP). It is difficult to say how many people experience IP as not everyone wants to discuss it. However, some research suggests it is common amongst high achieving individuals such as those working within academia.

This 3-hour workshop will provide a safe and confidential space to explore your unique, lived experience of IP. More generally, it will explore who experiences IP and why they might experience such thoughts and associated emotions. From a practical perspective, it offers up a range of different approaches to help manage feelings of self-doubt and IP.

BOOK DIRECTLY HERE.

10:30-11:30

ONLINE

TRAINING: Cultivating resilience and self-care for ourselves and others

What does it mean to be resilient, what does self-care really mean and how can we best support ourselves and others? In this collaborative and reflective hour, we will better understand what it means to be resilient and identify practical tools and techniques to support ourselves and others. A practical workshop delivered by the MPLS EDI team.

12:00-13:00

IN-PERSON

ACTIVITY: A Blooming Good Time

Capacity: 50

Plants are a wonderful addition to a home or office. At the session you'll plant a wildflower plug (young plant) in a pot, pack in compost and take away the plant with you. It can be kept in the pot or planted outside. Book you place and enjoy the texture of fresh soil on your hands and the joy of a plant to bring home. Come anytime during the 1 hour slot. Event provided by MPLS, Oxford Botanic Gardens and Arboretum and the Radcliffe Science Library.

13:00-14:00

ONLINE

WORKSHOP: Reduce Digital Distraction (Crunch Time) Workshop

Capacity: 45

Sidetracked by distractions on your smartphone or computer when you need to focus? Are there 'too many tabs open' in your brain? Led by Dr Ulrik Lyngs, this hands-on workshop provides practical steps to optimise your productivity and digital wellbeing. Get simple tools for when you need to focus, including setting up 2-factor authentication on your laptop, using blocking tools, and hiding addictive features on distracting websites.

BOOK DIRECTLY HERE. 

15:00-16:00

ONLINE

WORKSHOP: What connects work, burnout, stress and self-worth? 

Dr Tim Knowlson, a counselling psychologist and Programme Service Lead for the Peer Support Programme which includes the University’s student-facing training provision, discusses burnout and stress, with an emphasis on the workplace, and explores how this connects with our self-worth. In this hour session, we will find out what connects all of these elements, and learn some practical tools to support ourselves and our self-worth. There will be an opportunity to go into breakout rooms and to ask questions.

8:30-10:00

IN-PERSON                                           

ACTIVITY: Private View at the Ashmolean: “Anselm Kiefer: Early Works”

Capacity: 80

Start your morning with a stroll through the tranquil and inspirational galleries of the Ashmolean Museum by enjoying exclusive private access to their current special exhibition, Anselm Kiefer: Early Works. This landmark exhibition of one of the world's most important living artists features 45 paintings, watercolours, artist books, photos and woodcuts, all rarely displayed in the UK. With pieces from the period 1969–82, the show explores the artist’s roots, covering an array of cultural, literary and philosophical  subjects including recent German history. Teas and coffees will be served in the Rooftop Restaurant from 08:30, followed by a private access to the exhibition from 09:00 - 10:00.

12:00-13:00

IN-PERSON

ACTIVITY: Botanic Garden Tour 1 - Garden and Glasshouses

Capacity: 20

Join Rodger Caseby, Wellbeing Outreach Officer, who will be giving us a tour of some of the botanical treasures in the Oxford Botanic Garden. Oxford Botanic Garden was established in 1621 with the intent of being a place to aid the teaching of medicine in the University. Now it is a beautiful, peaceful space open for staff and students at the University to enjoy. Support and improve your wellbeing through using your senses to connect with nature.

13:00-14:00

IN-PERSON

ACTIVITY: Botanic Garden Tour 2 - Garden and Glasshouses

Capacity: 20

Join Rodger Caseby, Wellbeing Outreach Officer, who will be giving us a tour of some of the botanical treasures in the Oxford Botanic Garden. Oxford Botanic Garden was established in 1621 with the intent of being a place to aid the teaching of medicine in the University. Now it is a beautiful, peaceful space open for staff and students at the University to enjoy. Support and improve your wellbeing through using your senses to connect with nature.

13:00-15:00

IN-PERSON

ACTIVITY: Creative workshop with Ark-T - Sculpting Relationships

Capacity: 30

Making the most of a light-hearted approach by building flying machines or kinetic sculptures (sculptures that are designed to move), your team will work together whilst learning about communication and establishing new relationships. By doing fun, creative activities, we break down hierarchy, laugh and learn new things about each other. There will be an element of playful competition with the winning team being awarded a fun prize.

9:30-10:00

ONLINE                                                       

ACTIVITY: Office yoga with Ali James

Spending too much time at your desk? Constantly slumped over electronic devices? Feeling a bit stressed or stiff? Then join a fun and restorative online office yoga session.  Using only a chair, Ali James - a qualified sport and rehabilitation yoga instructor - will take you through a revitalising class of yoga poses and stretching, from the basic to the slightly more challenging, offering modifications and adaptions along the way, so everyone can join in.  Learn how to use your breath to relax and stretch properly, tackle those niggly aches and pains, and improve your posture. You’ll gain some take-away moves that you can do anytime, anywhere and without a chant or chakra in sight.

10:30-11:30

ONLINE

TRAINING: Being an effective bystander

What does it mean to be an effective bystander? How do we best challenge behaviours and practices which can potentially disadvantage staff and students? A practical workshop delivered by the MPLS EDI team.

10:30-12:30

IN-PERSON

WORKSHOP: Returning Parents/Carers workshop

LOCATION: University Club

This in-person event is being offered across the University to parents/carers who have recently returned, or are about to return to work, after a career break, with a particular focus on those returning to work following a period or periods of maternity leave, paternity leave, adoption leave or parental leave. The goal is to provide recent returners with the information, tools, support and networks they need to ensure a smooth and successful return to work. Find out more and register here.

12:00-13:00

IN-PERSON

ACTIVITY: Wellbeing Walk and Talk, University Parks

Make some time for you and enjoy some fresh air, sunshine (hopefully!) and good company (if you want it!) for a gentle lunchbreak this Mental Health Awareness Week. Join some MPLS Mental Health First Aiders and fellow staff and students for a little stroll around University Parks. There is no agenda, no rush, and no pressure – if you’d like to just walk and not talk, you are still very welcome.

13:00-14:00

IN-PERSON

ACTIVITY: Blind Date with a Book

Capacity: 20

Looking to meet your perfect literary match or just flirt with a new genre? You can borrow a book at this event but you won’t be able to judge them by their covers as they’ll all be wrapped in paper. Choose your match using only a few hints on each book. Are you ready for a reading adventure? Remember to bring your university card to borrow the book. Event provided by MPLS and the Radcliffe Science Library.

14:00-15:00

IN-PERSON

ACTIVITY: Quiet Book Club

Capacity: 30

Unlike other book clubs there be no set book or discussion. Settle into the cosy wellbeing room with any book of your choice. All books are welcome from print to ebook, audiobook to comic book. This book club is for you to take some time to enjoy a book in a serene environment. If looking for a good read why not book onto our Blind Date with a Book event? Event provided by MPLS and the Radcliffe Science Library.

10:00-11:00

ONLINE

WORKSHOP: A Good Day at Work: Some hacks and tips on how to show up and be the best version of yourself

Coming to work takes up a large part of our everyday life, and it’s important that we get the most out of being at work. In this hour, Jarlath Brine, Staff Development Manager from the Department of Engineering Science, will explore some wellbeing essentials to support yourself at work. This will include setting boundaries as a manager, preventing overwhelm and managing workload.

12:00-12:30

ONLINE                                         

ACTIVITY: Mindful Movement with Alison Brindle

Too much time sitting at your desk? Not enough time to get out for a walk or exercise? Join Alison Brindle (MSD) for a 20-minute, low-impact and relaxing session focusing on simple stretches and gentle movement. No special equipment or previous knowledge is required. No sweat is expected, and yes, you can keep your camera off! While Alison is not a trained physio, she learned these exercises while visiting a retreat centre in France a few years back. They are based on the '10 Mindful Movements' practice of Thich Nhat Hanh.

13:00-14:00

IN-PERSON

ACTIVITY: Cosy Community at the RSL

Capacity: 20

Take some time to visit the Radcliffe Science Library’s Wellbeing Room, where there are lots of games, puzzles, crafts, books, soft sofas and beanbags. We have booked the room this Mental Health Awareness Week to encourage people to come together in a relaxing environment and take some time for themselves within a supportive wellbeing community. A number of MPLS Mental Health First Aiders will also be there, getting involved and happy to talk.

13:00-14:00

IN-PERSON

ACTIVITY: Wellbeing Walk and Talk, University Parks

Make some time for you and enjoy some fresh air, sunshine (hopefully!) and good company (if you want it!) for a gentle lunchbreak this Mental Health Awareness Week. Join some MPLS Mental Health First Aiders and fellow staff and students for a little stroll around University Parks. There is no agenda, no rush, and no pressure – if you’d like to just walk and not talk, you are still very welcome.

14:00-15:30

IN-PERSON

WORKSHOP: Good Mental Health - ways to think about it and practical strategies to manage it

Capacity: 25

We talk a lot about mental health, but it tends to be more about the problems, such as stress, anxiety and depression. In this talk, I will focus instead on good mental health, how we define it and ways that we might try to stay mentally well. I will draw on psychological theory to offer practical thoughts on things we can do to take care of our minds and get the most from life.

About the speaker

Sara Hitchens is a Senior Accredited member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Currently, she has a private practice in Oxford, as well as working for the Oxford University Counselling Service.

Sara has lived and worked in Spain, France, Pakistan, and most recently in Japan from 2013 – 2016 where she was in private practice, as well as working as a school counsellor at two international schools. She has several specialisms, including:

• Intercultural issues e.g. intercultural marriage, migration, expatriation, working in different environments/workplaces
• EMDR therapy for trauma
• Bereavement

Previously she worked in primary care for the NHS and for Lewisham Bereavement Counselling, as well as with young people in London schools.
www.sarahitchenscounselling.com