Over 1000 Students Supported During Exam Period at University of Warwick’s First De-Stresstival
The University of Warwick proudly announces the successful completion of De-Stresstival, a unique cross-campus festival dedicated to promoting student wellbeing.
Organized by the Active Wellbeing team at Warwick Sport, De-Stresstival offered a fortnight of free mindfulness, relaxation, active classes, and de-stressing activities like a mini-farm, providing essential support during the critical Summer exam period.
With over 1000 attendees participating, De-Stresstival reached over 300 students who had not previously engaged with the University’s wellbeing initiatives. This diverse group of students benefited from a range of activities designed to alleviate stress and promote mental wellness.
Feedback from attendees highlighted the festival’s positive impact:
- 95% of students felt that De-Stresstival supported them during their exam time.
- 99% of students expressed a desire to attend De-Stresstival again in the future.
With comments including: “DeStresstival is a great idea. And to host such event during exam time, especially since it’s free of charge for students!”, “Awesome event, I want to do it again”, and “It would be great to have a Winter Destresstival”.
Georgina Pilling, Sports Engagement Officer and De-Stresstival Lead, said: “The Active Wellbeing Team (Warwick Sport) have loved hosting De-Stresstival, in order to provide our students with outlets to reduce stress, relax, and support them during exam times. It has been a great success, and we hope to repeat it again next year.”
The event saw substantial engagement across different year groups:
- First Year Students: 679 bookings
- Second Year Students: 65 bookings
- Third Year Students: 24 bookings
- Fourth Year Students: 23 bookings
De-Stresstival featured a collaboration with multiple university departments and groups, including the Students Union, Warwick Arts Centre, Sustainability, the Residential Community Team, and the Chaplaincy. This collaborative approach ensured a wide array of activities catering to various interests and promoting a practical approach to student wellbeing.
The University of Warwick is committed to supporting its students’ mental health and wellbeing, and plans are already underway to bring back the festival next year.