World Mental Health Day | Student midwife starts ‘Wellbeing Wednesdays’

A University of South Wales (USW) midwifery student has created a wellbeing group to give fellow students a space to share support and take a break from the demands of their studies.

Lucy Wall, a second-year student, set up ‘Wellbeing Wednesdays’ after recognising how valuable it could be for students to have a regular opportunity to connect with others on the course and talk about how they are feeling.

Around 15 students are now part of the dedicated WhatsApp group, which they use to check in with each other weekly, share motivational messages, and take part in simple creative activities.

Lucy said: “I’ve always been interested in wellbeing and mental health. I like the fact that you can make people feel better just by checking in on them. That can make a massive difference.

“I used to teach a customer care course when I worked for McDonald's, and I often shared this quote - 'People will remember what you said and did but they will never forget how you made the feel'. I live by this every day.”

The group is deliberately informal, with students encouraged to join in when they can and contribute their own ideas.

Activities have included creating affirmations and poems, while Lucy also co-organised a wellbeing day with the USW wellbeing team, where they painted stained glass and took part in a session about emotional management.

The students have also suggested activities of their own, including going for walks together during breaks and organising activities that could raise money for charity.

When Lucy asked for feedback, one member said: “The support I feel within our cohort is honestly beyond anything I could have ever asked for. We all have our own quirks, personalities, and different ways of supporting one another, but somehow everyone matters. No one goes unnoticed, and no one is made to feel like they don’t belong.

“Having that sense of understanding, friendship and support has made such a huge difference to my wellbeing. Knowing that these women genuinely care, understand, and have my back makes this journey feel that little bit easier. I’m so grateful.”

For Lucy, the group is particularly important because of the challenges of studying midwifery, with students balancing academic work, placements and, for many, family life.

“Midwifery can be a really challenging course, and sometimes it’s difficult for people outside of it to understand what you’re going through,” she said. “Having a group of people around you who understand makes such a difference.”

Lucy hopes ‘Wellbeing Wednesdays’ will continue to develop. She said: “I’m hoping that we can share this idea and that other cohorts and courses will follow suit.”

Lucy’s interest in wellbeing also extends into her work and future career. Alongside her studies, she has three years’ experience working in a maternity unit, where she has seen first-hand the importance of supporting the wellbeing of healthcare staff.

She said: “When we have good wellbeing and a strong support network around us, we’re able to perform better. It’s important to be able to say, ‘I’m not really feeling my best today,’ and know that there’s support there when you need it.”

Lucy hopes to develop her interest in mental health and bereavement further when she qualifies as a midwife, recognising that emotional wellbeing can affect the whole family.

For Lucy, the most important thing is ensuring students know they don’t have to face challenges on their own.

“Everyone has good days and bad days,” she said. “Knowing that people are looking out for you can make such a difference.”