Winter 2018 University of Cumbria of University

UoC Active #MoveMore

Sports news from the University of Cumbria. Top 10 in the UK for student satisfaction with sport science teaching*

*The Guardian University Guide 2017 02 UOC Active - Winter 2018

UOC ACTIVE is launched! Staff and students urged to get Active

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UOC ACTIVE is launched! Staff and students urged to get Active

A new Sport and Health Development “Research shows that breaking up periods of Unit aimed at encouraging students inactivity only takes a moment’s thought and in time can lead to you feeling fitter, brighter and better,” and staff at the University of Cumbria Mark Christie, Senior Lecturer, Sport and Physical to take regular exercise has been Activity Development said. “The unit aims to offer launched. UoC Active has a mission the opportunity and advice which we hope students to promote ‘healthy students, healthy and staff will take up, irrespective of their age and staff, healthy communities and healthy fitness. There are a wide range of activities people can do – even while sitting at their desk – which can

lives.’ bring benefits.”

“We’re well-known as a centre of excellence when For example, Mark recently piloted some ‘Office it comes to training the sports therapists, coaches Games’ - simple, fun and engaging ten-minute and trainers of tomorrow but this unit aims to team activities which take little in the way of encourage everyone at the university to think organisation and resources, and yet can enhance about health and fitness in a way that works for staff morale, wellbeing and promote team them,” says Tim Barry, Head of Medical and Sport cohesion. Over 60 staff were engaged in four office Sciences Department at the University of Cumbria. settings within the university, with very positive feedback to adopt this approach on a monthly or more regular basis. In addition, a campaign to promote fitness and activity included incentives such as a showcase of free exercise classes at both Lancaster and Carlisle sports centres, and running and walking tours. The university now hopes to recruit ‘Health Champions’ from all departments to help spread the word about getting more active.

“We’ve a national reputation for training top class sports science students: what better way Sport England’s Active Lives survey earlier this to share this knowledge among all staff year painted a bleak picture of fitness and activity. and students at the University of Cumbria According to the study, over a quarter of adults than through UoC Active?” Tim added. surveyed (11 million) admitted to carrying out less than 30 minutes of exercise a week.

Left: the swimming pool at Lancaster City Council’s flagship Salt Ayre Sports Centre, which is free for staff and students as part of the Leisure Card deal.

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2nd year sports students implementing Change4life initiative in local primary schools

Second year BA (Hons) Sports Coaching and Development students have been out delivering the healthy lifestyle message in local state primary schools. “It’s not only a great way to put into practice Having been trained by the local School Sports what the students cover on the module in Network staff over two separate days to plan respect of sport playing an influential role with and deliver Change4life activity sessions, community health improvement agendas, but students in small teams were then each linked also gets them networking in local schools, to a school to deliver four or five sessions which may in turn lead to further volunteer during school curriculum time. opportunity and/or placements, and positively influence the students in respect of career Mark Christie, module leader for the destinations. Meanwhile, the school pupils ‘Community Development Through Sport’ benefit from having some fun, engaging second year module, highlighted the value of student-led activities, and the teachers often the experience to students and pupils alike: pick up on the activity ideas the students present for future use.”

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Like gardening? Then join the monthly campus gardening club ‘Green Minds’

Have you noticed some efforts to enhance the project in Lancaster but we hope to facilitate flower beds outside the Dalton Building on the opportunities across all campuses if the pilot Lancaster campus? Or the wildlife pond at Fusehill is successful. As an early years researcher, with Street? Would you like to have a physical and four papers already published on the therapeutic mental break, whilst enjoying the fresh air, on a benefits of ‘green exercise’, Mark is also keen lunchtime at least once a month? to conduct a mixed methods study associated with the project to evaluate the physical and Then Mark Christie (right in photo with broom!) psycho-social benefits of engagement with ([email protected]) and Christine Bell Green Minds. ([email protected]) would like to hear from you! In February 2018 we hope to launch a regular campus gardening club, called Green Minds, which is being supported by the university’s facilities management team. The Green Minds project, which could also act as an effective vehicle for mental health referrals amongst students, could also play a valuable role with promoting staff wellbeing. A clear by-product is that a garden-based activity project can also enhance the look and feel of each campus, linking to university-wide efforts to enhance campus ‘vibrancy’. Initially, Green Minds will run as a pilot

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Already a number of small scale projects have been identified that could be targeted around campus to facilitate people’s engagement including a poppy-lined route along the entrance to campus from Bowerham Road to coincide with 100th anniversary WW1 Remembrance activities nationally, a fruit tree area which could also offer produce for the kitchens, e.g. an espalier project, an ‘outdoor’ classroom space surrounded by scented plants (akin to a sensory garden space) “The campus has much green space and more bird and bat boxes to encourage wildlife. that is relatively ‘blank’ and could look so much more appealing”, said Mark. One option to keep costs down is to encourage “We hope we can encourage staff and staff to contribute cuttings or plants from their students to get involved with short own gardens (brought to a repository on campus) bursts of gardening activity which will for use in planting up areas. The planting outside be low-cost and potentially have a Dalton is a good example of this – no plants major impact on wellbeing.” were purchased; all plants were donated by just three staff members, and with the support of two staff from the facilities management team - and some sports students - the area was transformed very quickly.

“There is lots of potential for academic teams to be involved too, from, for example, zoology, forestry, sport, outdoors.” Mark added.

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Student-led health walks a regular monthly feature on Lancaster campus for staff

University staff are continuing to benefit from a programme of monthly health walks led by the Corporate Health Workforce Team.

Check out the posters on campus for next dates, which are usually the first Thursday in the month, leaving the Dalton Building entrance at 12.05, with walks lasting approximately 30-35 minutes to neatly fit your lunch break. Students are most welcome too! (above: the student workforce team, Alex, Charlie and Louise, all trained as Health Walk Leaders by Walking for Health, a nationally accredited initiative).

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Staff and student wellbeing

In early March the university will be launching its first ever Mental Health and Wellbeing conferences. There will be two events, one focused on students, and one focused on staff. The conferences will cover a range of Mental Health and Wellbeing topics and will involve a range of internal and Mark Christie, Senior Lecturer external expert speakers, seminars in Sport and Physical Activity and workshops. Watch out for added: the programme, which will be

publicised shortly. “Promoting a healthy workplace has considerable benefits for employers As part of the focus on student and staff and can lead to decreased absenteeism, wellbeing, the university is joining the Better Health at Work scheme. Facilitated by the TUC, increased productivity and improved the Better Health at Work Award is designed to performance as well as enhancing an enable staff engagement with and participation organisation’s reputation and standing in a range of health and wellbeing initiatives. with staff, stakeholders and the As part of the scheme we will be seeking wider community.” volunteers to become staff Health Champions (Advocates). The aim is to recruit a minimum of 15 champions, whilst ensuring representation from each campus. Through the champions we hope to develop an internal network of staff who will help the university develop and

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deliver three health improvement campaigns over the next 12 months. The health champions will be the office “energisers” encouraging colleagues to get involved with the various initiatives.

“We want staff to come forward to help champion health initiatives and activities within the workplace,” said Tim Barry, UOC Active Chair. “Staff who want to be involved will get training for the role, and help us organise and deliver health campaigns and events across the respective campuses’ workforce.”

Mark added: “Mental ill-health is a growing concern within the workplace and society as a whole, and so it’s important to have a means of reducing the incidence of mental ill-health and actively promoting wellbeing programmes and initiatives throughout the year, as part of a well- considered wellbeing plan. The important thing is to make work a happy, vibrant and satisfying place, and ensuring staff have opportunities to relieve stress is essential in this busy, high-tech world we live in now.”

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Tenth anniversary celebrated through staff entering 10 selected regional sports events

Team10 is a grassroots initiative These are the ten key events inspired by staff and students, coming – how many do you fancy doing? together to train and participate in sporting events as a team. As a way of 1. Cross Border 10K (January 2018) 2. Chill Swim (February 2018) celebrating the university’s 10-year 3. UoC Lake District 3 Peaks Challenge anniversary this year we are going (March 2018) to target ten key events throughout 4. Lancaster 3 Bridges 10K (April 2018) the year – a mixture of fun runs, 5. Born Survivor (May 2018) competitive running events, walking, 6. Manchester Half Marathon (May 2018) 7. Cross Bay Walk (May 2018) biking and swimming challenges 8. UoC Coast to Coast Cycle (June 2018) – and we are looking for support. 9. Manchester Colour Run (July 2018) 10. Total Warrior (August 2018) You can participate in as many or as few of the events as you like, or sign up to come along for If you are interested in getting involved, please moral support and cheer the team home. You email [email protected] don’t need to be a runner, cyclist or open water swimmer already – this group is about getting We will sign you up to receive notifications of together and seeing what we can achieve as a training sessions and group activities, and arrange team. It’s not about being the fastest or the fittest for you to receive your official Team10 running – everyone is welcome. We are aiming to have vest or t-shirt! training groups at each campus, so register your interest and join in!

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This issue’s health tip from our Corporate Health Workforce Team

Every so often it’s good to get up out of your office chair and do simple exercises!

Try these two! Aim to do 20-30 repetitions of each on a daily basis.

Standing knee raises Standing knee raises

Stand with feet hip width or slightly wider Stand with feet hip width or slightly wider apart. Raise one knee to above hip height, apart. Raise one knee to above hip height, then return, and raise the other. To make the then return, and raise the other. To make the exercise more dynamic, bring your arms from exercise more dynamic, bring your arms from shoulder height (or above) down to meet each shoulder height (or above) down to meet each knee as you lift it up. knee as you lift it up.

Target: Do 15 reps for each knee, 30 in total. Target: Do 15 reps for each knee, 30 in total.

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Fall research ‘supergroup’ formed

team approach to research, grants, and multicentre trials,” Theo Bampouras, associate professor in sport and exercise biomechanics, said.

The new collaboration, called the Applied Exercise and Gerontology group, has also involved the University of Wales Trinity Saint David who already run a very successful Exercise in Older Adults programme and will make use of existing links with Dr Lawrence Hayes from Cumbria.

The University of Cumbria is Talks about various collaborative projects as well spearheading research aimed at as possible research grant submissions have been improving the lives of older adults held and the group say there is clear potential for collaboration and fast progression. by working to encourage more physical activity to reduce the likelihood of falls.

The university’s Active Ageing Research Centre (AARG) has joined academics from universities in Scotland and Wales to form a group which it is Associate Professor hoped will enable more widespread research to Theo Bampouras said: take place. “Given the success of this first meeting, “Colleagues from the University of West of we are confident that AGE will grow very Scotland and Swansea University have joined us fast and enable more collaborative and in the development of a ‘supergroup’ which will impactful work.” enable us to draw from a wider pool of expertise as well as allowing a greater, more multidisciplinary

Above: Theo Bamporas, Dr Joanne Hudson and Dr Lawrence Hayes

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Need inspiration? Hear about UOC staff members achieving amazing feats!

Fighting fit at 51, Martin issues than a fair proportion of my students, many of a challenge to improve his whom haven’t yet reached their twenties. I try to use some of my experiences to encourage students’ stamina. them to push themselves further than they presently do, encouraging them to achieve Concern for his students, a fascination with more and to discover that they are better than the links between physical activity and mental they know.” health, and an interest in active ageing all led Martin Barry to decide it was time to practise what he preaches by setting himself some serious challenges.

Approaching the start of his fifth decade, the senior lecturer in Outdoor Leadership at the University of Cumbria devised a three-year challenge to see if he could complete three physically demanding exploits either side of his 50th birthday. In June 2015, he completed “My essential message is, if I can do the Bob Graham Round in summer conditions, this stuff, why can’t my students? Being tackling it again the following February to fit as an outdoor leader means that experience it in winter, and then in July 2017 you have plenty in reserve for when he completed the Bolton Ironman Triathlon, things go wrong, and can concentrate having never attempted a triathlon previously. on your group’s needs, rather than your own. The good news is, you can make However, Martin, who works at the Ambleside a significant difference to your fitness campus, says: “As a current 51-year-old, I’m levels in just six weeks, especially in surprised and concerned to find that I am fitter endurance ability.”

Above: Martin Barry

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He reflects: “Trying to get your head around the Bernard Simpson recently ran in the Edinburgh distances and amount of climbing involved in the Marathon and collected donations for the Bob Graham Round (BGR) is quite daunting, and Anthony Nolan charity on the back of taking part illustrates the value of both physical and mental in this event. resilience.” The BGR is approximately 70 miles, climbs 42 Lakeland mountains and involves over 28,000 feet of ascent, within a 24-hour time limit. “Although I did the winter round solo, I had support from a number of students throughout the summer round, and for this I was extremely grateful and somewhat humbled. Getting students involved in this stuff is important.”

The Ironman is a well-known endurance challenge, Bernard Simpson said: and Martin saw it as a fitting conclusion to his challenge trilogy. “The links between physical “An amazing £1130 was raised and a very activity and wellbeing are well documented,” large chunk of that was donated by staff Martin says. “In my experience, it is impossible here at the University of Cumbria. On to come back from a fell run in anything other behalf of Anthony Nolan, I want to say a than a really good mood.” Recent studies having huge thank you to all who donated. Please described this as gaining ‘existential capital’. As see a copy of the letter I received and the part of his PhD studies, great things which can be done with the and in the light of his observations of comparative money raised, I think you’ll agree it makes age-related activity, Martin aims to look further it all worthwhile,” said Bernard. Well done! into the correlation between fitness and mental health and wellbeing, particularly in relation to outdoor settings.

Meanwhile, sports lecturer Mark Christie raised over £950 for Children in Need through organising some office games, doing a one-mile swim in 35 minutes and, bravely, having his legs waxed (the whole way up!) with the occasion available to witness on YouTube!

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City park ‘green exercise’ project brings growing benefits

A ‘green exercise’ project in Lancaster to investigate the mental and physical benefits of volunteering that began as a six-week long pilot scheme almost seven years ago is the subject of a second research paper.

Williamson Park, situated opposite the Lancaster Mark Christie, senior lecturer in sport and physical campus of the University of Cumbria, has been activity at the University of Cumbria, said. “It’s the focus for the ‘Greenfingers’ project, which set a testimony to their dedication and hard work out to investigate the physical, mental and social that the project has become such a success that health benefits of participation in conservation not only expands upon the original concept of volunteering. The study also examined the Greenfingers as a conservation initiative but also impact the project had on the community through helps fundraise for various exciting small-scale improvements to the overall appearance and projects around the park. These collective efforts facilities within the hill-top park. have therefore made a significant and ongoing impact in respect of enhancing levels of personal, A paper published in 2015 focused on the social and community capital.” contribution conservation work made to physical health. Over 40 volunteers had their heart rates Using an ethnographic methodology, the research monitored while carrying out their ‘green exercise’ conducted field-based semi-structured interviews efforts. The new research paper has focused on with the long-term participating volunteers at the dedicated band of conservation volunteers various timelines throughout a five-year period. who have remained steadfastly committed to the Some interviews were conducted whilst volunteers ‘Greenfingers’ project since its inception. worked in respect of a ‘think aloud’ protocol, capturing thoughts, feelings and emotions regarding their experiences in the ‘here and now’, whilst others were undertaken in the park café at a natural break in the conservation work, which typically lasted for two hours every Thursday morning. The findings highlighted the health and benefits derived by the volunteers which extended to encouraging more activity outside of the project.

In addition, the research gave voice to the positive impacts to personal, social and community capital, with examples such as enhancements to individuals’ knowledge and skill development, contribution to group dynamics and the benefits to the immediate environment. The work has made a “Some of the volunteers have been real difference, from removing non-native shrubs with us from the very beginning.” to renovating a bird hide, developing new flower beds and planting trees, a wildflower meadow and spring bulbs around the park.

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Jimmy living his dream as a community coach

Former BA (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science student James (Jimmy) Gray is playing a key role as a Senior Community coach with coaching company Pro-Sport Coaching serving the Ribble Valley area.

Jimmy’s work involves coaching primarily in schools, during curriculum time and in after-school clubs, although his remit also includes delivering sports sessions to other community groups and special populations. “I’m keen to expand my knowledge and practitioner experience to help deliver sessions to people with a disability, young and old, and hope I can make an impact with my colleagues The company has been keen to embrace in generally raising participation in sport to innovative activities, for example Pro-Sport encourage people to adopt a healthy lifestyle Coaching were the first sports provider across the life course” Jimmy said on a recent in Lancashire to offer Vigorboarding and visit to meet some of his former sport lecturers Bodyzorbing as part of their sports programmes on campus. (below).

Established in July 2006, Pro-Sport Coaching Jimmy added: “We continue to support more sought to increase the amount of pupil and more primary schools with breakfast clubs, participation in a number of different sports ‘Lunchtime Leaders’ and after-school clubs. Our throughout the Ribble Valley and surrounding ‘Pro-Sport Coaching Holiday Sports Clubs’ provide areas. “Ten years on, having built an outstanding parents with a safe, active and fun alternative reputation amongst our customers, Pro Sport for their children’s school holiday activities, and Coaching Ltd has continued to grow year-on-year these sessions are fantastic value for money. The and now delivers reliable, flexible and quality number of sports birthday parties we deliver is sports provision to primary school age children rising each year, with children and their friends throughout Lancashire and Greater Manchester” enjoying a great choice of fun activities on their Jimmy added. special day.”

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Students benefit from fantastic work placements

Sports students have been undertaking a range of placements with local and regional employers this summer and autumn. Employers have included Lancaster City Council’s ‘Active Lives’ Exercise Referral Scheme, Morecambe FC’s Football Academy, and supporting the first team’s physiotherapist, Morecambe FC’s Community Development Programme, Bolton Wanderers Community Programme, NCS – The Challenge, Burnley FC (strength and conditioning coaching), Lancaster Swim Club, private fitness providers, primary and secondary school placements, and much more.

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“I was part of a team of young leaders who engaged children in a range of exciting physical activity and sport challenges.”

Holly Singleton (Sport and Exercise Science, below) thoroughly enjoyed her placement on a sports summer holiday programme at a secondary school campus. “It was great to see the impact of our collective efforts on the children, and I gained lots of confidence and key skills from the experience, including working in a team, communication, organization and interpersonal skills,” said Holly.

“I appreciated not only how to structure class Atinuke Afolabi (Sport and Exercise Science, activities, but also how to make suitable pictured above right) was one of three adaptations and communicate the activities students who successively engaged with to the target audience. This has really given the Lancaster city council’s exercise referral me a fantastic insight into exercise referral Scheme ‘Active Lives’. “I really enjoyed programmes and how you can make a really learning about how the fitness staff at Salt positive impact upon people’s physical and Ayre ensured that activities were tailored mental health.” so effectively towards the participants, who presented with a range of medical conditions and needs” said Atinuke.

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University mental health work praised in report to MPs

A briefing paper for MPs highlighting campuses. As part of the ‘compassionate campus’ student mental health services, campaign, training has also been offered to all staff on suicide prevention and awareness. produced by the House of Commons library, highlights work at the “The impact of mental health issues can be University of Cumbria as a good serious and according to the Higher Education example of how widespread training Statistics Authority (HESA) there has been a for staff working with students can 210% increase in the number of students leaving university due to mental health problems over be offered. the last five years,” David Wilson, mental health and wellbeing manager at the University of The paper Mental Health Services for post-16 Cumbria said. Students in England says young adults aged from 16-24 are more likely than previous generations Working closely with Students’ Union staff, the to experience mental health issues and cites a university has also a number of student quality report produced by the Institute of Public Policy ambassadors – students who have a particular Research (IPPR) in September 2017 which found interest or who are studying mental health that over 15,000 first year students at Higher nursing – also working to increase awareness Education Institutes (HEIs) disclosed a mental of mental health and encourage discussion health condition. with support.

In 2017 the University of Cumbria appointed two Mental Health Case Workers to work with students on Carlisle, Lancaster and Ambleside

Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager David Wilson said:

“This is important work which we’re taking a lead on at Cumbria so it’s great to see our innovative suicide prevention and intervention training getting mentioned in this briefing paper.”

www.cumbria.ac.uk/sport Contributors Next edition Online version UOC Active would like to thank If you would like to contribute This newsletter is also available in everyone who has contributed to to the next edition of UoC Active electronic format and can be found at: this edition of the newsletter. please send your submission with any www.cumbria.ac.uk/sport relevant images (high-resolution) to [email protected]

Mark Christie t: 01524 384 578 (direct line) Senior Lecturer e: [email protected] University of Cumbria www.cumbria.ac.uk/sport Bowerham Road Lancaster LA1 3JD

©University of Cumbria 2018 (UOC 1129)