The annual Victoria of Wellington Wellbeing Symposium took place on 28 November, using the theme ‘Connect, learn, innovate and inspire’. In partnership with TWANZ, Victoria hosted 150 students, academics and health promotion staff who heard about a range of health and wellbeing initiatives that are happening across Aotearoa.
A full day of presentations, soundbites and exhibits which covered a range of topics, including art therapy, LGBTQI+ and student-led wellbeing. Main speakers for the day were:
- Inclusion in teaching practice and inclusion research - Dr Sarah Gordon
- Tertiary Wellbeing Aotearoa New Zealand: Moving forward – Anna Tonks, Craig Waterworth, Dr Anna Thorpe and Hannah Molloy
- Making Connections: the role of being with others in positive wellbeing - Associate Professor Marc Wilson
Two TWANZ executive members also presented on their own initiatives, with Tuihana Ohia (Te Wananga O Aotearoa) speaking to Tau Ora (staff wellbeing programme) and Anna Thorpe presenting results from the South Island Tertiary Health and Wellbeing Survey.
Students had a strong voice at the symposium and attendees got to hear from representatives of Victoria’s Student Wellbeing Awareness Team, The Bubble (student-led wellbeing space), Uni Q (queer representative group), and the Misfits Club (student art club). A mini “Bubble” was also set up so attendees could experience the chill out space that was available at the Kelburn campus.
TWANZ presentation is available here