The University provides a number of services to maintain and improve the health and wellbeing of staff

Health and wellbeing

Physical health and exercise

Dental care

For staff who do not have an NHS dentist, the Peninsula Dental School’s Dental Education Clinic at Heavitree Hospital can offer a dental check up and X rays, oral health advice, scaling and polishing and temporary fillings. As the service is part of student learning, all care and advice provided by the student dentists is currently free of charge. Appointments last about one and a half hours, and all student dentists are supervised by a qualified dental practitioner. Further information and how to book an appointment can be found on the PCMD website.

Eye tests for VDU users

The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment Regulations, 1992) apply to all staff within the university who use display screen equipment as a significant part of normal work (for continuous spells of an hour or more at a time). Work (eg computer workstations) is not generally high risk, but it can lead to muscular and other physical problems, eye fatigue and mental stress.  Users are entitled, on request, to an eye examination and tests of vision once every two years. Information can be found on the Occupational Health pages.

Free health checks

As part of a healthy lifestyle it is important to monitor your body, and so to help you maintain and monitor your health the Sport Park offer the following health checks free of charge: Body Fat, Blood Pressure, BMI. The tests take no longer than 5 minutes. To book your test simply speak to an instructor, or contact the Sports Park by email or telephone 01392 724452.

Health testing days

Sports Park staff are happy to visit your department to deliver a health testing day for your staff, Free of charge. The tests we undertake are very simple and don’t require any running around or clothing changes. These test are also very quick and discrete. If you would like to book a Health Testing Day for your staff then please contact Paul Mouland on 01392 722039.

Running groups

We now have many running groups set up, see the RunExeter site for further details. If you are looking for the opportunity to get fit, try something new, or get back into running in a safe fun and enjoyable environment please contact Paul Mouland on 01392 722039.

Sports Centre

Priority use of sports facilities is given to the teaching programme and the Athletic Union, but facilities are also available for casual use by staff. For details about booking and opening hours, as well as the facilities available please go to the Exeter Sports Centre website or the Cornwall Campus Sports Centre website.

Walking groups

Here at the University of Exeter we are extremely lucky to be surrounded by such a breathtaking campus which is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful in the UK and covers over 300 acres of grounds. So why not make the most of what’s just outside your office door and improve your health in the process? Lunchtime walks are FREE and let by a qualified member of the sports park staff and are a great excuse to get away from the desk for a break and find areas of the campus you may not have seen before. The walks take 25-45 minutes and explore all different areas of the campus. Please contact the Sports Office for more details and maps of the routes.

For walks at St Luke’s Campus, please contact Ann Donnelly.

Virtual Gym TV

VirtualGymTV (VGTV) gives you the luxury of professional fitness instructors in your own home.

The free service offers classes such as step aerobics, strengthen and tone, spinergy, martial arts training sessions and much more – all in the comfort of your living room.

Complementary health and wellbeing

Complementary health treatments

The University Sports Park has built a relationship with the Wellbeing Centre to enable you to book alternative therapies that will be delivered on campus (see the Sport website for a timetable). Therapies that are delivered are Swedish Massage, Indian Head Massage, Life Tracking and Nutritional Therapy. For more information and enquiries please email enquiries@well-being-centre.co.uk or visit their website.

Counselling

Members of staff are able to access a confidential counselling service. Counselling is designed to offer independent, non-judgemental listening support in times of difficulty. It will not give instant solutions or make decisions for you, but it can help to reduce confusion and clarify problems. 

These are external organisations, working independently of the University. The counselling service can be accessed via the Occupational Health Service.

Estate and grounds

The Streatham Campus, which is the biggest of the three University sites, is built around a country estate overlooking Exeter and surrounding countryside. The campus is one of the most beautiful in the country with lakes, parkland, woodland and gardens with many rare species of plants and trees. See our grounds and gardens website.

Set in 70 acres of countryside, but close to the waterside towns of Penryn and Falmouth, the Cornwall Campus at Tremough offers peace and tranquillity as well as a lively student community.

Meditation session

The University of Exeter provides meditation sessions held in a dedicated meditation room, room 028 in Washington Singer which is lovely and quiet and supplied with chairs, meditation cushions and yoga mats for those who like to lie down. If you would like to take part in these sessions please email Margaret Surrey.

Training and education

Free cycle training

Free cycle training is now available to all University staff. Training is provided by a fully Qualified National Standard Cycle Instructor and can be used to improve confidence or provide guidance on riding in and around Exeter. Whether it is getting on a bike for the first time or tackling particularly tricky sections of a journey, the training is tailor-made to suit your needs and is suitable for all levels of cyclist. For further information please contact Paul Mouland.

Eating for health and vitality course

This is a six-week course of evening classes for people who want to find out more information about healthy eating.

The classes will introduce you to the facts and principles of healthy eating from a holistic perspective and empower you to take control of your health and wellbeing. It will show you how eating the right foods can help you feel full of health and vitality.

Find out more on the Sport website's Courses page.

Personal and professional development

We encourage staff to pursue learning and development opportunities while working at the University. Personal development courses include Assertiveness, Time Management skills, Stress Management and many more. Find out more on the Learning and Development webpages.

Smoking cessation course

The Sports Park, Streatham Campus, regularly deliver free smoking cessation courses.

During the workshops you are able to talk to advisors from the Devon Primary Care Tust Smoking Cessation Team about the best way of quitting. They can also prescribe nicotine replacement therapy if this is the most suitable option.

To register your interest please email Paul Mouland or phone 01392 722039. 

Groups

Staff Association

The University Staff Association has been formed to foster greater integration of staff with special interest groups, social events and benefits/discounts to enhance wellbeing and a greater sense of community. Find out more on our website.

University of Exeter Retired Staff Association

Membership of the Association is open to all retired employees and retired former employees of the University, in all categories, including semi-retired employees. For information on events and subscription please visit the UERSA webpages.

University Secretarial and Clerical Group

The University of Exeter Secretarial and Clerical Group was established in 1997 to provide:

  • a forum where good practice can be shared
  • a path for ideas and initiatives to be taken forward
  • a means of improving communication 
  • support to staff 
  • The Group primarily works through email although it does meet occasionally to discuss topics of interest and arranges visits to areas of interest such as the PMS building at St Luke's campus and the Northcott Theatre at Exeter.

Further details can be obtained from Sally Harrington based at Exeter or Carrie Baker based at Tremough.