Active Wellbeing Hub
Explore Active Wellbeing at Heriot-Watt University and find out more about how we drive a culture of physical activity and wellbeing across all global campuses.
Active Wellbeing at Heriot-Watt University
The Active Wellbeing programme at Heriot-Watt University is driving a culture of physical activity and wellbeing across all global campuses.
In its second full year, the programme has engaged over 3000 students and staff through a broad range of inclusive activities, supported by evidence-based practice and strategic alignment with University priorities.
Our delivery programmes include Active Residencies, ‘Learn to’, Staff Sport and Mass Participation Events such as Colour Run and Santa Dash. Alongside this, the team lead on a learning and teaching project as well as health promotion activities.
Our Vison
The vision of Active Wellbeing at Heriot-Watt University is to support more students and staff to be more active, more often across all global campuses. To achieve this work, we set out a number of workstreams to define and align our actions.
Changing Lives via delivery of activity across all campuses.
Developing People through training opportunities and a rewarding volunteer programme.
Moving the Rules by thinking outside the box, specifically in the learning and teaching space.
Enhancing & Activating Spaces through an Active Wellbeing lens, supported by a global audit of infrastructure.
Communication & Advocacy of the benefits of being active for physical, mental and social health.
Data & Impact to underpin all that we do, demonstrating community impact and sense of belonging.
Active Wellbeing Activities
Active Residences
Explore our range of active residency activities, from football and badminton to dance. Meet new people and keep active on campus.
Student Activities
Check out our range of student active wellbeing activities available across our campuses. Try new activities and explore our events.
Staff Activities
We run a range of activities designed to help support Heriot-Watt University staff to stay active and healthy, with sport and health services available.
Sport and Active Wellbeing
Heriot-Watt University is a destination for sport and active wellbeing. With Oriam Scotland's Sports Performance Centre in Edinburgh and a range of facilities across our campuses.
Student Wellbeing Services
Student Wellbeing Services aim to provide a range of support, guidance, activities and advice to help students to be their best, and get the most from their university experience.
Research and Blog
Stay up to date with the latest Active Wellbeing News and Research to find out more about the best ways to keep fit and active at Heriot-Watt University.
Learning and Teaching
Active Wellbeing are focused on the benefits of movement and physical activity within learning and teaching spaces. Research suggests that students will retain focus, productivity and experience improved cognitive function following a short, active break (Lynch et al., 2022).
Active Wellbeing have taken a lead to create an initiative to support academics to embed short bursts of physical activity into their teaching.
The purpose of the initiative is to support students, and staff, with their physical, mental and social wellbeing. Students and staff can often be sitting for long periods of time, and Brain Breaks help break this up with short bursts of movement, breathing exercises or stretching.
The project has received some great feedback to date:
85% of students stated Brain Breaks had a positive impact on their wellbeing and 83% of students stated Brain Breaks enhanced their productivity, concentration and focus (End of Semester Survey (n=3010), AY 2024/25).
Meet The Team
Sarah Robertson, Wellbeing Manager
Sarah is the Wellbeing Manager and one half of the Active Wellbeing team. Sarah is passionate about Active Wellbeing and is excited by the opportunity to encourage more students and staff to be more active more often. Sarah is responsible for the delivery of the Active Wellbeing strategy, the referral programmes in partnership with the wellbeing service and supporting the fitness team within Oriam.
Jordan Moore, Active Wellbeing Officer
Jordan is the Active Wellbeing Officer, dedicated to getting students and staff moving at Heriot-Watt. Jordan has a background in sport and physical activity and is passionate about the positive impact physical activity can have on all aspects of wellbeing, alongside the student experience. Jordan's work involves delivery of Active Wellbeing projects, alongside education and advocacy across the wider University community.
Contact
Opening Times
Monday - Friday: 6:30am - 10:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am - 8:00pm
Sunday: 8:00am - 10:00pm
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