The University of Central Lancashire’s Creative Mental Health Framework (CMHF) has won the top award in the ‘Supporting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion through Knowledge Exchange’ category of the PraxisAuril KE Awards 2023
A Creative Mental Health research project, focussed on improving the wellbeing of the University of Central Lancashire’s LGBTQ+ student community, has won a prestigious Knowledge Exchange award.
For the past 12 months, UCLan’s Creative Mental Health Framework (CMHF) has been delivered by students for students. Some students have described the project as life changing. It harnesses creativity to raise the profile and reduce barriers and stigma around mental health in the LGBTQ+ community through team work as well as dynamic and engaging activities.
Partnering with Tate Liverpool, Growing Resilience, Lancashire MIND, and Lancashire LGBT, UCLan’s Creative Mental Health Framework has produced and delivered peer-to-peer mental health training for 300 LGBT+ students who champion diversity. It has also trained Mental Health Ambassadors to educate and support LGBT+ challenges and worked with the university’s media students and staff to produce Sky TV programmes and podcasts which have the potential reach of 8 million viewers.
The Creative Mental Health Framework was recognised for its achievements by scooping the top award in the ‘Supporting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion through Knowledge Exchange’ category of the PraxisAuril KE Awards 2023, held on the evening of Thursday 23 November.
"I have forged friendships and by sharing my experiences through art it has given us a lasting way to reach others who may also benefit from our journey."
— Poppy, a third year LGBTQ+ student at UCLan
The Creative Innovation Zone Team led the programme founded and evaluated by Emma Speed and Dr Gillian Raynor.
Professor Graham Baldwin, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Central Lancashire, said: “Using world-class research to positively transform the lives of the communities we serve is a priority for us at the University of Central Lancashire. Celebrating how university research makes positive differences to the lives of individuals and wider society is crucial. For that reason I’m delighted the work of our Creative Mental Health Framework is being recognised and celebrated.”
Evaluation of UCLan’s Creative Mental Health Framework shows that there has been a 60 per cent increase in student awareness about student support services, mental health, and wellbeing within the university for the target group, as well as a wider awareness of LGBTQ+ student issues through media broadcast on Sky TV.
One of the highlights of the research project was students being given the opportunity to perform a theatre show celebrating stories of those who have taken part as well as having their artwork exhibited in the Tate Liverpool gallery.
Poppy, a third year LGBTQ+ student at UCLan, added: “Being a part of the Creative Mental Health Framework has transformed how I see myself and helped me find a new way to express anxiety and worries.
“I have forged friendships and by sharing my experiences through art it has given us a lasting way to reach others who may also benefit from our journey.”