Ara Unveils new weekly Wellbeing Wednesdays

_{The Wellbeing Wednesday Thrift swap team (left to right) Lani Pitcher, Lucy Nisbet-Smith and Ruby Heaton.}

Ara Insitute of Canterbury’s Student life team has introduced its first ever weekly Wellbeing Wednesday events at its city campus, kicking off with a successful clothing swap event.

Taking place every Wednesday in the Student Life building from 12pm – 1pm, the events will continue until the end of the year.

Lucy Nisbet-Smith from the Student Life team says, “Wellbeing Wednesday is an initiative we’re using as a tool to combat loneliness and create more awareness around our wellbeing team and the support we provide to our ākonga. The events are to promote whanaungatanga and foster a sense of community, ensuring that our ākonga feel connected and supported throughout their time here.”

The events draw on the Student Life team but also call on support from wider Ara networks and even learners to incorporate a “by students for students” approach.

Kicking off with the successful free clothing swap and then a daffodil-inspired paint-and-sip event to celebrate Spring, the Wednesday’s turned their focus to World Sexual health Day this week.

Ākonga took part in a condom pack-a-thon, made personalised pronoun badges and enjoyed some free cupcakes.

In the weeks ahead the team is marking Suicide Awareness Day with a creative activity and have various plans in place for Māori Language Month.

“We’re starting our celebrations on September 18, with make your own Kawakawa balm and free kai when you order in Te Reo Māori for all those attending” Nisbet-Smith said.

The team has plans to mark Mental Health Awareness Week by bringing furry friends to all campuses for Pause with Paws. "People can expect plenty of other events, including a BBQ, an InsideOut 2 screening with popcorn and candy floss. Each campus will also have a Wellbeing zone that’ll have resources, colouring pages, puzzles and quizzes go win prizes.”

Watch this space as more Wellbeing Wednesdays will follow the term break in October.