Student Active Wellbeing Report Launches

The Student Active Wellbeing Report, in collaboration with BUCS and Sport England, is launched today with a clear message that there are huge benefits to being active across wellbeing, loneliness, sense of belonging, and what the future holds whilst studying.

Produced for the first time in five years, the report is based on a UK wide survey of students, with well over 1,000 Scottish respondents – 15% of the total group.

Download the report here

Commenting on the report, SSS Chief Operating Officer Stew Fowlie said:

“It’s clear that by investing in active campuses and organised activity, institutions can help their students to better physically, mentally, socially and academically – creating a sense of belonging that can otherwise be hard to find”.

The report paints a positive picture for the student sporting landscape in Scotland. 76% of Scottish respondents reported being part of a student sports club – the highest in the UK. This is further borne out by our annual club membership audit which continues to see strong growth in our members’ clubs.

Students engaging in both sports clubs and gym facilities reported better scores across a range of wellbeing metrics. Active students reported lower levels of an anxiety and were least likely to say that they felt lonely or excluded. Further data outlines that one key reason for this may be the sense of belonging built into sports clubs, and by extension, their institution.

The results of this survey highlight the need for an institutional approach to engaging the inactive and continuing to improve the experience of the engaged. 18% of respondents reported being inactive, yet were still compelled to complete a survey on physical activity. There is an onus on all of us to work better to engage inactive students in every institution.

The report also highlights that particular groups may be missing out on the benefits of being active. Across the UK, Asian and Black women, students from deprived areas, commuter students, and students with a health condition that has a major impact on their life are all less likely to be engaged on campus. This follows wider population trends and highlights the need for us to consider all demographics in creating positive student experiences through activity.

This is all work that is ongoing at SSS and we look forward to shaping this into the future. As best summarised by our COO:

“Regular activity must increasingly be seen not as a nice-to-have, but as a key priority within modern campus life. We therefore urge leaders in colleges and universities to place sport and active wellbeing at the centre of every student’s experience.”

Whilst tertiary education continues to respond to an ongoing and growing mental health crisis among its student and staff communities, being active continues to offer an evidence-based route to a brighter, more positive future for us all.

The report is available in full, here.

All members, partners and interested parties are invited to our webinar discussing the Scottish-specific data, taking place on Thursday 1st May, 15:00-16:00. Sign up here.