Mental Health and Wellbeing Advocate, Molly Taylor, takes a moment to look back on all of the campaigns and initiatives she has worked on this year to help keep student wellbeing a priority at Royal Holloway.
Molly Taylor takes a moment to look back on all of the campaigns and initiatives she has worked on this year to help keep student wellbeing a priority at Royal Holloway.
Molly Taylor
Mental Health and Wellbeing Advocate
My time as a Mental Health and Wellbeing Advocate at Royal Holloway Students' Union has been a fantastic journey full of learning and growth, providing me with the pleasure of supporting my peers. As I take a moment to reflect on my experiences, I am reminded of the significance of mental and physical health on campus and the vital role that we play in fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for students.
I've most enjoyed reconnecting with the community, advocating for and supporting my peers' voices on campus, meeting new people, and listening to students' diverse experiences.
Understanding the Importance of Wellbeing
My primary focus has been to create awareness about the importance of mental health, self-care, and overall wellbeing among students. Through organising workshops, events, and campaigns, I have witnessed first-hand how these initiatives have positively impacted students. It is crucial to recognise that student life encompasses more than just academics; mental and physical health are integral aspects of a well-rounded college experience.
Building a Supportive Community
One of the most rewarding aspects of my role has been the opportunity to build a supportive community among students. By creating safe spaces, organising support groups, and facilitating open discussions, I've witnessed the power of human connection. Encouraging students to share their struggles and triumphs has fostered a sense of belonging and empathy on our campus. It is through these interactions that we realise we are not alone in our challenges and can lean on one another for support.
Organising Women’s History Month was one of my first projects; my core aim was to create a supportive environment that celebrated students on campus. One of my favourite events was a self-expression social in Tommy's Lounge where students could create empowering postcards and write a little note to themselves to remind them of their strength. I also enjoyed establishing a new legacy called Words for Women, in which more than 50 women at the University were recognised for their kindness and dedication around campus and their communities.
Promoting Self-Care and Resilience
In today's fast-paced and demanding academic environment, self-care often takes a back seat. I have strived to change this narrative by promoting the importance of self-care practices. From mindfulness workshops to yoga sessions, we have explored various ways to help students prioritise their mental and physical health. Additionally, encouraging resilience has been a key aspect of our advocacy, emphasising that setbacks and challenges are part of life, it is how we bounce back that truly matters.
Being a student myself, I can relate to how stressful exam season can be and how, despite how busy we may feel, self-care practices are crucial during this time. Therefore, I organised a walk with Walk and Talk Society to Virginia Water during the Summer Term. With almost 10 new faces present, this event was a huge success! The students recognised that walking helped their mental health and that they plan on going for walks in the future when they're feeling anxious. During the academic year, the Walk and Talk Society organises two walks every week, so be sure to join them next year!
In collaboration with Art Society, I also arranged a Give It A Go clay-making 'crafternoon'. It was great to see students meet new people and explore their creative side as a form of self-care! Again, even though it was a busy time for students, over 60 people showed up to the session and had a great time, noting that it was interesting and that they hoped it would be continued the following academic year!
Collaborating with Stakeholders
My role has taught me the value of collaboration and communication. By working closely with the Sabbatical Officers, Senior Management team, Royal Holloway's Wellbeing team, and students, we have been able to increase our impact and reach students. By fostering these relationships, we can advocate for policy changes, implement initiatives for students, and create a campus culture that prioritises a holistic approach to student wellbeing.
This year, it was a pleasure to chair my first Wellbeing, Community, and Diversity Executive, a committee of elected students from various groups including the Disabled Students Collective; the first session discussed the Spiked campaign. Through the Executive, I also sought to gather their direct feedback, hear their perspectives, and drum up some ideas for stress-relieving activities; extenuating circumstances emerged as a major discussion subject. It was really enjoyable to meet these students, listen to their comments, and then feedback to the appropriate stakeholders to help me to implement changes at the SU.
Personal Growth and Reflection
On a personal level, my journey as a Wellbeing Advocate has been a transformative experience. Through this role, I have developed leadership skills, empathy, and a deeper understanding of the challenges students face. I have realised the importance of self-reflection and continuously learning from the experiences of others. Lastly, I have discovered my passion for supporting people and making a positive difference in their lives.
Final Thoughts
As my time as RHSU's Mental Health and Wellbeing Advocate draws to a close, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunities and lessons this experience has granted me. It is essential for every educational institution to recognise the significance of prioritising student wellbeing and to provide platforms for advocates like myself to foster a culture of support and compassion. Together, we can create an environment that empowers students to thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. Let us continue to champion the cause of student wellbeing and ensure that every student feels valued, heard, and supported on their journey.
I am looking forward to seeing what Nisha, the newly-elected VP Wellbeing and Diversity achieves next year!