We appreciate staff taking the time to submit their feedback each year for the annual staff engagement survey in November. In the next few weeks, we will be sharing examples of how feedback has been taken on board in different areas and how those changes have benefitted staff.

The School of Human Development and Health reviewed feedback from the 2023 staff survey and made the following changes:

• Introduced social/engagement events twice per year.
  • Most recently, this included a networking and activity day at Marwell Zoo. This included a quiz that took groups around the zoo looking for clues, a lunch and a group art activity.
• Launched the HDH Research Club
  • This is held monthly and is led by early career researchers. The first hour is a research-based discussion and the second hour is a social networking opportunity with food and drink.
• Organised drop-in sessions and wellbeing activities to benefit the health and wellbeing of staff
  • The School of Human Development and Health has dedicated mental health first aiders (MHFA) and wellbeing champions (WC) within the school. These reps are a first point of contact for staff and students alike should they need advice, guidance or support on issues. School MHFAs and WCs are also working together to raise the profile across the school, most recently organising a drop-in ‘coffee and colouring’ event this month in support of World Mental Health Day. This will be an opportunity for informal networking, but also an opportunity for colleagues to chat with MHFAs/WCs in a safe and private environment. The school MHFAs/WCs also link into the faculty MHFA/Wellbeing network, taking part in regular faculty drop-in sessions.

The 2024 staff engagement survey will launch on 1^st November 2024.

If you would like to let us know about changes put into place in your area because of feedback from the staff survey, please email staffengagement@soton.ac.uk