Bristol University Wellbeing Services Facing Turmoil Amid Restructuring Concerns
As the new university term kicks off, Bristol University’s Student Wellbeing Services staff are grappling with an uncertain future. The proposed restructure of the wellbeing team, which was initially reported in June, has caused distress among staff, leading to resignations and low morale.
The initial proposals to restructure the wellbeing team included staff cuts and significant changes to service provision. While these plans have been postponed, the impact on the team has been profound. Staff members are experiencing high levels of anxiety and uncertainty about their roles within the service.
Tom*, a student wellbeing advisor at the University of Bristol, highlights the challenges the team is currently facing. With a surge in students seeking support at the beginning of the term, the reduced team is struggling to meet the demand. The departure of key staff members, including managers and advisors, has further strained the service.
The planned restructure aims to reduce the Wellbeing Service’s staff from 44 full-time equivalents to 29, with additional roles being created in other teams. While the university asserts that these changes are necessary to improve efficiency and enhance the user experience, wellbeing staff have raised concerns about the potential impact on student care.
Critics of the restructure argue that removing the existing wellbeing access team could lead to a decrease in the level of care available to students, potentially putting vulnerable students at risk. This concern is heightened by the university’s history of student suicides, with 12 students tragically taking their own lives between 2016 and 2018.
Despite submitting a counter-proposal in May and engaging in what they believed would be a collaborative consultation process, wellbeing staff feel that their concerns have been largely disregarded by management. The proposed restructure, initially slated for August 2024, has now been pushed back to January 2025, with minimal changes to the scope of the plan.
The delay in implementation has not prevented a wave of resignations within the Wellbeing Service. Two staff members have taken voluntary redundancy, while nine others have chosen to leave their positions. The departure of these key team members has resulted in a significant loss of expertise and manpower within the service.
The remaining staff members are grappling with increased pressure to take on additional appointments and a more rigid working structure. This shift has led to a demoralized team, with concerns about their ability to provide quality care to students under the new model. The focus on efficiency and productivity has overshadowed the core values of compassionate care that many staff members hold dear.
In response to the staff unrest, a University of Bristol spokesperson emphasized the institution’s commitment to mental health and wellbeing. They highlighted the significant investment in this area and acknowledged the anxiety and uncertainty felt by staff during the restructure process. Support services, such as staff counseling and employee assistance programs, have been made available to help employees navigate this challenging period.
As the restructure of Bristol University’s Wellbeing Services continues to unfold, the impact on staff morale and student care remains a pressing concern. The clash between financial efficiency and compassionate care underscores a broader debate about the priorities of higher education institutions and their responsibility to support the mental health and wellbeing of their community.
*The names of sources have been changed to protect their anonymity.
