SDG3: Policies and Practice
The information contained on this webpage overviews the various policies, practices and operational measures in place at the University of Glasgow in support of SDG3 – Good Health and Wellbeing.
Current collaborations with health institutions:
The University of Glasgow works with a wide range of local, national and international partners to improve health outcomes, advance medical research, tackle health inequalities and translate world-leading research into practice.
Local collaborations:
One of the University's most significant local partnerships is the Glasgow Health Sciences Partnership (GHSP), established with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC). The partnership integrates world-leading research, healthcare education and clinical practice to improve healthcare delivery, accelerate innovation and support initiatives such as precision medicine. It also aims to translate research discoveries into real-world benefits for patients across the region.
The University and NHSGGC have also jointly established the Clinical Innovation Zone at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, creating a collaborative environment where clinicians, researchers, students and businesses work together to develop new healthcare technologies and services.
The GPs at the Deep End project, led by the University of Glasgow, supports GP practices serving Scotland's most socio-economically deprived communities. The initiative helps frontline healthcare professionals share expertise and tackle health inequalities through collaborative learning, community partnerships and innovative interventions. Its achievements include the Community Links Worker Programme, which connects patients to local support services, and the Govan Social and Health Integration Partnership, which improves care for vulnerable individuals and families through early intervention and integrated health and social care support.
National collaborations:
The University has a long-standing partnership with the NHS across Scotland, supporting clinical research, healthcare innovation and public health improvement. Examples include research to improve bowel cancer screening through artificial intelligence, initiatives addressing child oral health inequalities, and collaborations that have informed NHS policy and service delivery.
Researchers from the University also work with the Scottish Government, Public Health Scotland, local health boards and health improvement partnerships to address public health challenges and tackle health inequalities across Scotland.
In addition, the University is a founding partner in the Scottish Health and Biomedical Institute (SHBI), a joint initiative with the University of Edinburgh that brings together universities, researchers and industry to address health inequalities, drive innovation and attract investment into Scotland's health sector.
International collaborations:
Internationally, the University has developed major health partnerships through its global health programmes and research networks. A notable example is the Blantyre–Blantyre Partnership with the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences in Malawi. This collaboration focuses on equitable research partnerships to address healthcare challenges, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases and wider health inequalities, while strengthening research capacity and knowledge exchange between Scotland and Malawi.
The University's global health activities also connect researchers and students with organisations including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNAIDS, Unitaid, Gavi and international health NGOs, supporting collaborative work on population health, health policy and global health equity.
Collectively, these collaborations demonstrate how the University of Glasgow works across local, national and international scales to improve health outcomes, address inequalities, foster innovation and strengthen healthcare systems.
Health Outreach Programmes:
The University of Glasgow delivers and supports a wide range of outreach programmes, community partnerships and volunteering initiatives that promote health and wellbeing across Glasgow and beyond. These activities address physical health, mental wellbeing, healthy ageing, disability inclusion, community resilience and support for refugee and displaced populations.
Local communities:
The University's Byres Community Hub acts as a bridge between the University, researchers and local communities, hosting public engagement activities focused on improving health and wellbeing.
Community events have included health-themed workshops and activities on mental wellbeing, community resilience, healthy living, primary care, public health and inclusion, delivered in collaboration with organisations including the Scottish Ambulance Service, Lanarkshire Deaf Services and Differabled Scotland.
Researchers in the School of Health & Wellbeing also lead community-based programmes such as the PACES (Physical Activity, Social Connectedness and Healthy Ageing Study), which works with adults aged 55-75 to understand and promote physical activity, social connections and healthy ageing. Community workshops are used to develop approaches that help older people remain physically active and socially connected.
Disadvantaged communities:
The Deep End GP group is a network of GP surgeries in Scotland which cover the 100 most socio-economically deprived patient populations. The network enables front line GPs to share their experience of the challenges faced in supporting some of the most disadvantaged and marginalised people in society. It was established by Professor Graham Watt, Emeritus Professor of General Practice and Primary Care at the University of Glasgow, with university staff still heavily involved in the development of the programme today.
Scotland still has one of the lowest life expectancies in Western Europe, with stark inequalities in health between those living in the most deprived communities and those in the least deprived areas. Almost 80% of the participating Deep End GP practices are in Glasgow.
The Deep End GP steering group meets every six to eight weeks to discuss common issues and encourage sharing of learning within and between practices.
One of the most impactful developments from the network has been the introduction of the Community Links Worker Programme. Deep End GPs worked with the Alliance for Health and Social Care to develop a model to create better links between practices and local community organisations to support people with complex health and social care problems.
The programme also helps patients overcome issues such as lack of confidence and social isolation and helps to rebuild trust in services. Originally piloted in seven Deep End practices, the Community Links Worker Programme is now being rolled out across Scotland.
Student volunteering and community support:
The University's Students' Representative Council (SRC) supports hundreds of student volunteers each year through partnerships with more than 50 charities, social enterprises and community organisations. Students contribute to projects supporting elderly people, disabled adults and children, homeless communities and other vulnerable groups, helping improve wellbeing and social inclusion across Glasgow. More than 800 students were supported to volunteer with local community organisations in a recent year.
Examples include volunteering with the Glasgow Riding for the Disabled Association, which provides activities for disabled children and adults, and educational tutoring programmes that support young people's wellbeing and development.
Support for refugees, asylum seekers and displaced communities:
The University is recognised as a University of Sanctuary, reflecting its commitment to supporting refugees, asylum seekers and other forcibly displaced people. The University works with organisations including Refuweegee, Universities of Sanctuary and the Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA), while providing tailored support, guidance and wellbeing assistance to people seeking sanctuary.
Through Glasgow Student Action for Refugees (STAR), supported by the University, student volunteers help improve the lives of refugees and asylum seekers through volunteering, campaigning and practical support. The University also partners with the Bridges Programme to provide opportunities for asylum seekers and refugees to develop skills and access employment-related experiences.
In addition, student volunteers contribute to organisations supporting refugee communities, including Code Your Future, which provides coding and skills development opportunities for refugees and disadvantaged groups, helping improve employability, social inclusion and long-term wellbeing.
Together, these initiatives demonstrate the University's commitment to improving health, wellbeing and social inclusion through community engagement, volunteering, healthy ageing research, disability support and outreach to refugee and displaced communities.
Shared Sports Facilities:
Our UofG Sport community membership gives full access to our premium gym facilities, fitness classes, swimming pool, indoor cycle studio and more.
UofG Sport community membership includes access to:
- Group exercise classes
- 25m swimming pool with six lanes
- REVOLVE indoor cycling studio, Glasgow's best indoor cycling experience
- Pulse cardio suite with fully interactive equipment
- PowerPlay strength & conditioning suite
- Exercise studios free to use outside class times
- Sauna & steam room
- Squash courts & sports halls
- Wellbeing support
- Wide range of facilities available for hire, including tennis courts, exercise studios, grass/synthetic pitches and cricket oval
Further, over the past three years we have embarked on reciprocal arrangements with three local schools: Kelvinside Academy, Glasgow Academy and Hillhead High School providing access to our sports halls and swimming pool at the Stevenson Building during school hours for PE lessons in return for access to the school's sports halls and Hockey pitches for clubs in the evenings.
The impact of this is that circa 2000 local school children benefit from free access to our facilities over the course of an academic year. On average we have provided 400 hours of facility access to schools per year for three years.
Sexual and reproductive health care services for students:
Students can find information on sexual health, and book sexual health services including STI testing, at the Sandyford Initiative.
The University refers students to access medical assistance from the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (Archway). This is open 24 hours a day to anyone in the Glasgow area who has been sexually assaulted. Archway offers a variety of services and support. Students can also contact a University First Responder for further guidance and support.
Student and Staff Mental Health Support:
Students:
The University of Glasgow Counselling Service provides a comprehensive range of mental health and wellbeing support to help students manage personal challenges, develop resilience and successfully complete their studies. The service offers support for a wide range of mental health concerns and varying levels of need, ensuring students can access assistance that is appropriate to their circumstances.
Students can access professional counselling and wellbeing support through direct registration with the service, while those requiring immediate assistance can use the University's 24/7 Counselling and Advice Line or access dedicated wellbeing counsellors through the Wisdom app via live messaging and video calls.
The University also promotes preventative approaches to mental wellbeing through a range of self-help resources and wellbeing programmes. These include online materials covering common mental health difficulties and the Wellbeing Matters Programme, which helps students develop skills to manage stress, procrastination and other challenges that can affect wellbeing and academic performance.
Recognising the importance of peer support, students can access TalkCampus, a global online community that enables students to support one another in multiple languages at any time of day. In addition, the Counselling Service offers professionally facilitated group therapy programmes, providing safe spaces where students can share experiences, build connections and develop coping strategies alongside peers facing similar challenges.
The University's wider support network includes the Wellbeing Team, Student Learning Development services for students experiencing academic pressures, and Disability Services for those with long-term mental or physical health conditions. Together, these services create a holistic framework of mental health support that promotes wellbeing, inclusion and student success.
Staff:
The University of Glasgow provides a comprehensive range of mental health and wellbeing support services for staff, combining professional counselling, practical mental health assistance and peer support. Employees can access confidential support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year through the University's Employee Assistance Programme, delivered by PAM Wellness, which offers advice, counselling and a wide range of self-help resources. Staff can receive support through telephone, video or face-to-face appointments.
Additional confidential support is available through the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service, delivered by Able Futures and Maximus. This programme provides up to nine months of personalised support from mental health professionals, including wellbeing planning, practical advice, guidance and access to online resources and out-of-hours assistance.
The University also maintains a network of trained Mental Health First Aiders who can provide initial support, listen to concerns and help colleagues access appropriate professional services. Alongside these services, staff have access to a range of wellbeing resources covering stress management, anxiety, bereavement support and urgent mental health assistance through NHS services. Together, these initiatives promote a supportive, proactive and accessible approach to workplace mental health and wellbeing.
Smoke Free Policy:
The University of Glasgow operates a comprehensive smoke-free policy as part of its commitment to promoting health, wellbeing and a safe environment for staff, students and visitors. Smoking and vaping, including the use of e-cigarettes and other nicotine-delivery devices, are prohibited in all University buildings and vehicles in line with Scottish legislation.
The policy applies to all staff, students, contractors and visitors across University locations. Individuals who choose to smoke are asked to do so away from doorways, windows, air intakes and busy pedestrian areas to minimise exposure to second-hand smoke. Breaches of the policy may result in disciplinary action for staff and students, while visitors or contractors may be asked to leave University premises.
To support healthier lifestyles, the University also signposts smoking cessation resources and services, including Quit Your Way and employee wellbeing support programmes.