Mindapples

26/05/2026

Universities put enormous care into welcoming students. But what about when they leave?

Graduation can mean a new job, a new city, a new routine. And suddenly, no safety net. It's one of the biggest transitions in a young person's life, and it often goes completely unsupported.

We've been thinking about what students need at this stage, and while career advice is helpful, there are practical and relational skills we need to thrive in the workplace.

Our new blog is all about this, and if you work in higher education, it might be worth a read 👀

https://mindapples.org/2026/05/15/graduate-wellbeing/

30/03/2026

What does a whole-school approach to mental health actually look like in practice? 🍏

We spoke with Dawn Fortt, Senior Mental Health Lead at Beckmead College, about the culture they've built, one where conversations about mental health feel normal, staff look out for each other, and students know that how they feel matters.

"It's good that we have conversations about mental health and how to improve it. The more we normalise it, the better."

Read the full story on our blog: https://mindapples.org/2026/03/11/whole-school-approach-mental-health-schools/

Thank you to The Beckmead Trust for your support.

How Beckmead College supports student and staff wellbeing through a whole-school approach to mental health and creative activities.

10/12/2025

Winter can bring a mix of pressures for university communities, shorter days affect our energy levels, concentration and sleep. And for so many, the winter term often feels full with coursework and preparation for exams after the break.

As the season changes and our workloads increase, it feels especially important to understand what we can do to take care of our minds. Rest is one of the simplest ways we can help to restore our sense of balance, and it also supports learning, by helping us to process information and strengthen memory.
When we rest and support our minds, we start to build the foundations that allow resilience to grow.

Resilience isn’t about pushing through regardless or pretending we’re fine with things feel tough. It’s about how to take care of our minds when pressure increases and how we respond to challenges in ways that support our wellbeing.

It’s also shaped by the environments we learn and work in, and by the support that’s available to us.

The University Mental Health Charter highlights that resilience grows best in supportive cultures, where people feel connected and able to manage pressure. It also emphasises that a whole-university approach must include both adequately resourced, effective and accessible mental health services and proactive interventions.

That’s why we run our Be Resilient course with students and staff across the winter months. It's a proactive intervention that explores how our minds work under pressure, what supports wellbeing, and how small habits and flexible thinking help us handle challenges more effectively.

Universities can play a key role by promoting balanced study and rest, strengthening peer support and offering skills-based sessions like Be Resilient. These approaches help students and staff feel supported during the busiest points of the academic year.

Read more in this month's blog: https://mindapples.org/2025/12/01/winter-student-wellbeing/

If you would like to bring Be Resilient to your university, contact [email protected]

Explore winter university wellbeing and the pressures students face in colder months, and how rest and resilience can support them.

28/11/2025

Last month Mindapples trainer, Andrea Corbett, spent time with students at Beckmead College, and their creativity was remarkable. If we give young people space to reflect on what supports their minds, they bring so much imagination, authenticity and inspiration to the conversation!

In our Feed Your Mind workshops, students explored the everyday things that help them feel grounded and well. They turned these ideas into bold, thoughtful pieces of art that showed real reflection and personal insight.

Dawn Fortt, Senior Mental Health Lead at Beckmead, told us: “The Mindapples format gave the students and staff a chance to really think about how they look after their own mental health.”

Read more about our time with Beckmead College here: Read more here: https://mindapples.org/2025/11/11/feed-your-mind-beckmead-school-wellbeing/

A big thank you to Dawn and the team at Beckmead College and The Beckmead Trust for welcoming us in and for everything you do to champion young people’s wellbeing.

24/11/2025

For university communities, the term is well underway. The early buzz may be fading, coursework is increasing, and for some a sense of disconnection can creep in. This is where peer support can make a real difference.

Belonging and community are protective factors for our mental health. When students and staff support each other, people feel seen and valued. Research shows that loneliness can have a significant impact on student wellbeing, amplifying even small challenges. Feeling part of something bigger helps us regain perspective and reminds us we’re not alone.

When universities build networks of peer supporters, they offer guidance and community that many students really need. It’s often easier to talk to someone who “gets it”, and both sides benefit. These simple acts of care strengthen the whole university community.

Effective peer support relies on clear training and a structured approach.

At Mindapples, our Champions Training helps student and staff mentors start open conversations about mental health, recognise healthy boundaries and signpost to further support. By building confidence and connection, Champions help create caring university communities where people feel supported.

👀 Read more about university peer support in our latest blog: https://mindapples.org/2025/11/11/student-peer-support-university-connection/

If your university is developing its peer support programme, we’d love to help. Email [email protected] to arrange a call.

Student peer support reduces loneliness and builds belonging at university through training, clear boundaries and caring conversations.

13/11/2025

On World Kindness Day, we’re encouraged to practice kindness, not just because it’s a nice gesture, but as a practice, it can nourish our wellbeing, help develop our relationships and even support our physical health.

What’s also lovely about kindness is that it doesn’t just help the person receiving it, but it also benefits the person offering the kindness. When we reach out to help someone, our own sense of connection and belonging strengthens.

At Mindapples, we see this all the time in classrooms, universities and in the wider communities we work with. When people share ideas, encourage each other or take the time to listen, everyone’s mental wellbeing can be improved.

Being kind isn’t just about being nice, it’s about feeling connected and part of something bigger.

Please read our latest blog to explore how kindness supports wellbeing, builds connection and reminds us that caring for others starts with caring for ourselves: https://mindapples.org/2025/11/11/kindapples-kindness-and-mental-health/

We’re also big fans of The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, who share wonderful resources and stories to keep kindness growing all year round.

💭 What’s one kind thing you’ve done lately for yourself or someone else?

🍏 What are your kindapples?

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Discover how kindness boosts wellbeing and supports mental health for others and for ourselves this World Kindness Day.