Start to success

Start To Success is a two-year Office for Students (OfS) funded project which aims to develop a whole community approach to support the mental health and wellbeing of Higher Education & Further Education students, led by Staffordshire University and Keele University. 

The region’s universities, colleges, local authorities, police and NHS providers have come together with a common purpose to remove barriers, improve support and services, and enable student success.

Project Officers are working across all aspects of the student journey to support effective transitions into, through, and out of higher education, with three areas of focus; student transitions, early intervention, and step change in support through partnership working with the NHS.

Since its launch, Start To Success has trained over 200 members of staff at Staffordshire University and Keele University in mental health awareness to enable them to help further support students studying at both Universities.

Alongside this, the project has seen countless resources created for students covering all aspects of mental health and wellbeing at University, from making the transition to HE to managing academic stress to wellbeing tips and more. 

Start To Success Mental Health Campaign

The Start To Success regional Mental Health Campaign launched in November 2020 and aims to increase the awareness of mental health and the support available for students across Staffordshire.

The campaign covers the themes of Isolation, Stigma and Self-Help and has seen a series of tools, videos and resources aimed at supporting student mental health across the University.

Find out more about the Start To Success Mental Health campaign and access campaign resources.

Access Start To Success Mental Health Resources

The Start To Success Project Officers have created a growing library of resources for students. To help get you started we’ve listed some the most popular student resources and tools:

Staying Well in Isolation: Staying Connected & Well (PDF) – this guide aims to showcase ways that you can stay connected and keep well during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PhD During The Pandemic (PDF) – get tips on how adjust, maintain productivity and how to manage milestones such as the viva.

Transition Handbook: Supporting your Transition into Higher Education (PDF) –a guide to help you to make a successful transition into University life, and navigate your way through your first year at University and beyond.

Taking Control of My Wellbeing at University (PDF) – an online module for students which aims to empower you to look after your physical and mental wellbeing.

Managing Academic Stress (PDF) – get tips on managing academic stress including positive and negative stress, dealing with stressful situations and a wellbeing toolkit.

Keeping Active in Halls or at Home (PDF) – A guide featuring room exercises and desk stretches for those looking to get active in their halls or homes whilst studying online.

Access even more Start To Success resources and tools

Get in touch

Start To Success website

For more information on the Start To Success project and to see the latest project updates, news and resources please visit www.starttosuccess.co.uk.

Start To Success on social media

Follow Start To Success on Twitter: https://twitter.com/StarttoSuccess1

Students/staff at the University

If you need help making sense of anything, would like copies of resources or have a query related to the Start To Success project please contact starttosuccess@staffs.ac.uk

Press and media

For press and media enquires related to the Start To Success project please contact the University Press Office via comms@staffs.ac.uk.