University of Bradford shortlisted for mental health award by students
University of Bradford has been shortlisted for the Whatuni Student Choice national awards for its mental health support for students. The University successfully piloted a programme called From Burnout to Burning Bright, offering support to neurodivergent students.
The University of Bradford has been shortlisted for a national award for mental health support for its students.
The 2025 Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs) are based on feedback from 36,000 students.
The University’s From Burnout to Burning Bright programme was created by staff in the Counselling & Mental Health Services in response to an increasing number of self-defining, questioning and diagnosed neurodivergent students seeking support for their mental health and wellbeing. A successful six-week programme was piloted in 2023/4 and this year in collaboration with student feedback, has evolved and was redesigned to be more flexible and have a more deliberate focus on peer support.
Gill Barlow, Head of Student Wellbeing Learning, Teaching & Student Experience, said: “We are very proud and delighted that the Burning Bright programme has been nominated for a Whatuni Student Choice Award. It’s great to see that initiatives around student mental health are given recognition and acknowledgement. This inspires services and teams to think creatively and take risks.
“The programme is focused on building confidence, emotional regulation and a sense of belonging for students who identify as neurodivergent. Including their input in the evolution of the programme not only increased their skills but also their sense of self-assurance and self-reliance. This group was developed in response to a clear student need, ensuring we are enabling students not just to survive at university and beyond but to thrive.”
Student awards
Now in its 12th year, the WUSCAs is the only higher education awards ceremony in the UK where institutions are judged and reviewed solely by students themselves. The 36,800 student reviews collected this year provide independent insights for institutions on how they are delivering for students, what they are doing right and what they can improve.
Alexander Armstrong, comedian, actor and host of BBC1’s Pointless, will host the WUSCAs at The Brewery, London on May 21.