Words by Esme Elsden

Esme Elsden, UCL IEHC Soc-B Doctoral Candidate, reviews Professor Helen Chatterjee’s UCL East Lecture on the role creative health and social prescribing have in reducing health inequalities.

A timely lecture as we find ourselves in the midst of Mental Health awareness week with the theme of Nature. Professor Helen Chatterjee (Professor of Biology at UCL Biosciences and UCL Arts & Sciences) leads today’s lunchtime lecture on creative health by starting with the overwhelming benefits connecting with nature through green prescriptions have to improve psychological wellbeing (1). We are becoming increasingly aware of the therapeutic effect of being out in the garden, getting out for a walk amongst the trees and watching the changing seasons in the leaves. I know myself that during the first lockdown, the only thing keeping me sane was our one-hour a day of walking outside.

However, this is not limited to nature; how we engage our leisure time has important protective effects for both mental and physical health. Examples: being part of a community choir, painting, crafting, and making music are all ways which Professor Chatterjee explained we tap into our creative health potential. Creative health is an inspiring research area that is gaining more ground as time goes on, combining the arts and sciences as an inheritance from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Creative Health whose report came out in 2017 (2).

Professor Chatterjee gave us a sweeping whistle-stop tour through the origins of looking for creative ways to support better health outcomes, informed by the landmark work of Sir Michael Marmot from the 2010 Marmot Review through to the recent COVID-19 Build Back Fairer (3,4). Explaining how the social determinants of health form the social gradient of health, which maintains inequality in society’s health outcomes. Meaning people who are the least deprived members of society have better health outcomes across their life, whereas people in the most deprived parts of society, i.e., those dealing with poor housing, lack of purposeful jobs and low economic resources, have poorer health outcomes over their lives.

In an increasingly unequal society, “creating the conditions and opportunities for arts, creativity and culture to be embedded in the health of the public” strikes an important reminder of the importance of living a meaningful life. Creative health asset provision is a mosaic of what is available in the community. Libraries, museums and the art sector are not paid to tackle health inequalities, and they rely on public funds to maintain the space rather than deliver interventions. There is no one size fits all to tackling health equity through creative health, which is further embedded into the social prescribing movement.

Social prescribing has been going on for 30 or more years and aims to have link workers in each primary care network who understand the local areas community assets. That is to say the libraries, the cultural offerings and different community groups that people may find useful to help support their psychosocial wellbeing. Wellbeing that doesn’t quite fit into the medical model of being a traditional prescription of medication. Social factors need to be taken into account and social prescribing referrals have rapidly increased, with the Health Secretary promising 1000 more link workers by 2023 (5). Creative health has to be connected to what is happening in the community, with scoping and mapping within the community as the bedrock for this policy.

As the lecture came a close, Professor Chatterjee’s words of “there is still a lot of work to do” resonated as this exciting research area continues to grow and policies begin to take effect.

Watch the recording

1. Thomson LJ, Morse N, Elsden E, Chatterjee HJ. Art, nature and mental health: assessing the biopsychosocial effects of a ‘creative green prescription’ museum programme involving horticulture, artmaking and collections. Perspect Public Health. 2020;140(5):277–85.
2. All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arts H and W. Creative Health: The Arts for Heath and Wellbeing [Internet]. 2017. Available from: http://www.arts.wales/128094
3. Marmot M. Fair Society, Healhty Lives: The Marmot Review [Internet]. The Marmot Review. 2010. Available from: http://www.instituteofhealthequity.org/resources-reports/fair-society-healthy-lives-the-marmot-review/fair-society-healthy-lives-full-report-pdf.pdf
4. Marmot M, Allen J, Goldblatt P, Herd E, Morrison J. Build Back Fairer: The Covid-19 Marmot Review. Heal Found [Internet]. 2020; Available from: https://www.health.org.uk/publications/build-back-fairer-the-covid-19-marmot-review
5. NHS. 2021. “NHS England » Social Prescribing”. England.Nhs.Uk. https://www.england.nhs.uk/personalisedcare/social-prescribing/.

Photo by Simon Wilkes on Unsplash

Words by Evie Robinson

Evie, a second year UCL English student, shares her advice on how to make time for leisure reading whilst studying.

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With students knee-deep in assessments, essays and exams, many confess it can be difficult to find time to read. Reading is a dear hobby for many of us: it allows us to escape from the realm of university responsibilities and enter the world of whichever fictional creation we are engaging with.

Read whilst you are travelling or on the move

I’ve been commuting most days from my London flat to use one of the many UCL libraries for a change of scenery and a boost of productivity. I’ve been surprised by how much reading I can fit into my tube journeys. Using your commute into campus is a great way to increase your daily reading hours and get through books more quickly during this busy time.

Have multiple books on the go

It’s important to ensure that reading remains an enjoyable and relaxing activity, as during stressful periods it can often feel like a chore. Reading multiple books at once means you can choose your read depending on your mood. I usually read one work of fiction and one non-fiction book at the same time, and this allows me to read for different purposes: I love reading fiction to discover new characters, worlds and stories, but I equally adore non-fiction such as biographies and collections of essays or speeches, as ways of enhancing my day-to-day learning and knowledge of contemporary issues.

Read what you enjoy

Thinking in retrospect, it took me quite a while to discover what kind of books I really loved to read. The first year of my English Literature degree at UCL introduced me to an incredibly wide range of literature, from Greek epics to contemporary works of literary fiction, and at times it was overwhelming. But now, having just finished the end of my second year, I’m starting to consolidate a sense of what my literary passions are. Even as someone who reads daily as part of my degree, this process of self-definition as a reader has been slow, and one which is still ongoing. So read widely and challenge yourself with what you read. Exposing yourself to as many writers, styles and stories will make you a more well-rounded, informed and confident reader.

Decrease your screen time, increase your reading time

It’s no secret that Millennial and Gen-Z youngsters have become hooked to their screens, and I myself am guilty of spending far too much time glued to my MacBook. But swapping out that daily screen-time for a book is easier than you think. Perhaps you use your phone before you go to bed, or when you first wake up in the morning. So, instead, pick up a book: you could get your brain working and analytical mindset started in the morning by reading something non-fiction, or you could switch off from your busy day of revision to immerse yourself in the world of the novel you currently have on the go.

Little and often

Many people have a long list of books they would like to read, but reading can feel overwhelming as a student, like a hill that seems far too difficult to climb. The main solution to this challenge is little and often. You don’t have to read all day, every day, to make your way through the books you want to. Dedicating 20-30 minutes every day solely to picking up your book can make the world of difference in helping you to hit your bookish goals.

Summer reading

As many of us near the end of our exam period and look forward to a few months of normality during our summer break from university, it’s a great time to start thinking about what you want to read over the summer, and the kind of reading goals you’d like to set (reading Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace is the main contender for me!). The sheer power, beauty and mastery of books never ceases to amaze me, and I’m certain in my belief that reading makes us who we are. As I’ve started to rest and recharge now that my exams are over, I’m really rediscovering my love for reading not just for analysis and study, but for fun. I hope that the summer break encourages you to discover or reignite that same love.

Words by Annabelle Brand

Annabelle (second year UCL English student) shares 10 things she wishes she had known before starting her degree.

1. Everyone is in the same boat

When you find yourself overwhelmed by the change in environment, make sure you remind yourself that you’re not the only one. It might seem that everyone has made friends for life by day two of fresher’s week, but they are probably as nervous as you. If you’re struggling with feelings of isolation, it’s likely others are too, and would appreciate a new friend as much as you would.

2. You deserve to be here

‘Imposter syndrome’ is the feeling that your achievements are somehow a fluke, and that one day, you’ll be found out. It’s a feeling that I found difficult to shake when I started university and would often compare myself to my course mates. I would convince myself that everyone on my course knew more than me, was a better student than me, and deserved to be there more than I did.

Deal with imposter syndrome as quickly as possible by reminding yourself that you deserve to be at UCL, studying the subject you applied for. You should be proud of yourself for getting this far!

3. Ignore the Fresher’s pressure

Fresher’s week is a weird time. This year it’ll be taking place without fresher’s club nights all week, but it can still be a time of social pressure for many students. Your first week at Uni is a bit like New Year’s Eve—the movies make it look magical, people hype it up for weeks beforehand, and yet the reality is often underwhelming. A friend told me before I started Uni that I should go to every event possible because ‘it’s what everyone will be talking about for the rest of the year’, so I placed huge expectations around it and ended up underwhelmed. You might make great friends, meet your future partner and have the best experience of your life, but don’t worry if you don’t. Most people make their closest friends later down the line. You have several years so relax and don’t worry about cramming all your socialising into one short week!

4. Find your people

The biggest difference between school and Uni is the range of people you can hang out with. You’re no longer in the microcosm of college or sixth form. Although this can feel overwhelming, it’s also a great social opportunity. Hang out with people you like, who you can be yourself around, and who make you feel good about yourself. Try to meet new people when you can, because the more you put yourself out there, the more chance you have of meeting people you click with.

5. Be open to new experiences

Although it can feel great to meet someone you seem to have everything in common with, don’t close yourself off from people who are different to you. If you meet someone who has different views to you or different hobbies, see your interactions with them as a learning experience. You don’t have to change who you are, but chatting to people who are different from you can broaden your world view and might lead you to new experiences. These might be a new group of friends, a new hobby or simply a different way of seeing something which will add to your personal growth. You might discover something new about yourself or be able to share something that’s new to someone else.

(Of course, being accepting of personal differences does not mean you should tolerate any form of discrimination. Invalidating someone’s identity is unacceptable whether it’s through homophobia, sexism, racism, ableism or classism and is behaviour UCL takes very seriously. If you experience anything like this you can report it to your department, the head of welfare in a society or to the welfare officers at your accommodation, depending on who was involved.)

6. Make an effort with your flatmates

Being friends, or at least friendly with your flatmates can really improve your time in first year. They may have different interests and personalities to you, but you’ll be living with them for a year. They’ll see you at your best and worst. Say hello when you meet them, learn people’s names as quickly as possible, and ask them about themselves. Be respectful of the people you’re living with—washing up a plate or turning your music down is a lot easier than dealing with a resentful flatmate for the rest of the year. You might end up closer to people from societies you’re part of or your course mates. You might not keep in touch with your flatmates after first year. Even if you don’t, getting back to your flat and having someone to chat to while you make dinner helps your student accommodation feel more like home.

7. Make memories

One of the best things I ever bought for Uni was a disposable camera. For my first year I bought one disposable camera per term. Snapchat memories are great, but it feels even better to have a physical reminder of all the fun times I had with my friends. I think doing something physical to commemorate your time at UCL, (whether it’s taking pictures or writing in a diary) is a fantastic way to preserve memories you can look back on. I often flip through the shoebox of photographs I took in first year and it never fails to cheer me up.

8. Look After Your Health

It might seem like everyone around you can pull regular all-nighters and live exclusively off pot noodles, but believe me, it takes its toll eventually. It’s hard to say this and not to sound like your mum, but a balanced diet and a full night of sleep every once in a while will help you out in the long run.

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health, so take care of yourself mentally. Starting university is a massive social and environmental change, so take extra time for yourself and check in with yourself mentally to make sure you’re coping okay.

Your GP should be the first place you go with any health concerns, mental or physical. The start of student life is filled with endless registrations and forms and I found it tempting to put GP registration firmly on a backburner marked ‘adult responsibilities’, but it’s an invaluable resource you should never hesitate to use. If your health is impacting your studies, look at UCL’s ‘Student Wellbeing’ resources and inform your personal tutor or member of your department.

9. Plan your studies

Some people are naturally organised and motivated. I’m not one of them. I spent more of my fist year than I care to admit in a cycle of procrastination which turned to frantic cram-sessions whenever a deadline reared its head. What it took me almost all of first year to figure out was that, with the smallest amount of planning, this could have been completely avoided.

Write down the work you need to, whether it’s on your phone or in a diary, then work out how long you have to do it and prioritise accordingly. It can take all of half an hour to get your deadlines in order, and it’s well worth the panic and boredom of sitting in a lecture when you haven’t familiarised yourself with the topic.

10. It’s okay to not know

If you don’t know how to do something, it’s okay! Whether it’s course material you don’t understand, or how to put on a white’s wash, don’t beat yourself up about it. Google it, ask a friend, email your lecturer or call your mum, and learn how to do it for next time.

Starting university is a brand-new experience for most people there, and because you’ve never done it before, you’ll make mistakes. Be kind to yourself and remember that everyone in your position feels just as nervous, unprepared or overwhelmed as you do. University is a huge learning process: not just in terms of your course material but for your social skills, life skills, and gaining new experiences. Be proud of yourself that you’re daring to do something you’ve never tried before and remember—you’re not alone!

Words by Isabelle Osborne

Thanksgiving was never a part of my childhood and has, until recently, only ever been an event I observed from a distance (admittedly through watching the Thanksgiving episodes on Friends). However, upon enrolling at UCL in 2019 as an English Literature student, I experienced my first Thanksgiving.

An invitation

My lovely friend Liz, who I met quite early on in my journey with the UCL Jazz Society, celebrates Thanksgiving each year. When she invited me to her Thanksgiving dinner party last November, I happily accepted her warm invitation; I was in the early stages of my university journey and was overwhelmed by the kindness of being invited to a party when I had only known her for as short time. I was also very intrigued to experience a proper Thanksgiving, and I gladly accepted her invitation. However, I did have my reservations: how does one go about celebrating Thanksgiving when they had never celebrated it before? There was certainly a level of apprehension leading up to the event.

Thanksgiving etiquette

The first question: what does one bring to a Thanksgiving party as a contribution to dinner and a sign of appreciation? Upon accepting the invite, I immediately messaged my friends to ask advice on what to take with me. As a non-alcohol drinker, I am not clued up on what drinks suit what occasions. So I strolled the Tesco shelves for an indecisive 20 minutes trying to decipher what would strike the right balance between sophistication and student. I settled with what I knew: mince pies (even though it was November) and Lindt chocolates; on reflection this was a good choice, as they were warmly welcomed.

A warm welcome

I arrived late to the party after being tied up with a band rehearsal, and was expecting my entrance to be awkwardly received, especially because I wasn’t acquainted with everyone there. I had nothing to fear – I was met with lots of smiley faces and warm hellos. Everyone was lovely and there was lots of chatter, which immediately put me at ease. It was a joyful and fun environment. Liz and her girlfriend put on an enormous spread of delicious food, and we spent the evening eating, chatting and laughing. There was good music, good conversation and good food: what more can one ask for? It was so much fun, and I look back fondly on that evening as a highlight of my first year at UCL.

Leading up to the event, I was plagued by the question: would I be a Thanksgiving imposter, having never celebrated it before? Looking back, it didn’t matter what food I brought or whether or not I had celebrated Thanksgiving before. It was about being with friends and celebrating everything you are thankful for; for me, that was being invited to a wonderful dinner when I had only just joined UCL and was still finding my feet. I was thankful for Liz’s kindness and the friendships I both built and solidified with the other guests.

Much more than a day of food

Rather than simply an annual calendar event where lots of food is eaten, Thanksgiving is so much more. It is a time to be thankful and enjoy spending time with your friends and family. As I look back at the last year since my first Thanksgiving, I am thankful for a lot of things, one of which is definitely my first Thanksgiving because it now feels like a familiar time when I can reflect on what I am thankful for. If COVID-19 did not prevent gatherings this year, I’d certainly be hosting my own Thanksgiving.

Words by Annabelle Brand

Just before lockdown, I decided to leave London and move in with my family back at my home in Bristol. It was a hastily-packed, stressful whirlwind, not helped by conspiracies drifting around that London was about to enter some kind of drastic, Orwellian state of martial law. Never trust anyone whose primary source is their friend’s brother’s neighbour who ‘knows someone in the government’.

As we headed for the M4, I felt my exam motivation rapidly dissolve, followed by my plans for a relaxing summer.

Back home, I fluctuated between boredom and panic. I spent the first few days watching the cases of Covid-19 rise, waiting for the Prime Minister’s next announcement and frantically refreshing my emails in the hopes that the UCL English department had sent news about summer exams.

After a few weeks of being home, I learned to cope with the uncertainty of the situation. One of the things that helped me the most was structure. Creating a rough timetable of my day gave me security and made hitting goals more satisfying. This got easier after UCL let me know exactly what was required of me in my summer assessments, so I knew what needed to get done and could plan my time around it.

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Lockdown routine

This is what a typical day looked like as I settled into a lockdown routine…

9:30-10:00: Getting up 

I’m notoriously bad at getting up, especially without a morning lecture to force me out from under the covers. The best way to fake being a morning person was to charge my phone downstairs overnight. It stopped me wasting time by scrolling as soon as I opened my eyes, and meant I got to sleep with no distractions.

10:30: Breakfast
A decent breakfast is the only thing that can transform me into a functioning human adult. Pancakes are dead easy to make, especially if you have time to make the batter the night before.

11:00: Study Time
Armed with a cup of tea, I make my way into the living room to begin studying. With the absence of the UCL library as my study space, physically moving to a different room helped my brain get in ‘study mode.’

The other tactic to revive my tanking motivation was an app called ‘Forest’. With Forest, you set a time on your phone, and if you don’t look at it for that time, you grow a virtual tree. It might sound like a weak motive to work, but it cut down my scrolling habits and allow me to work undistracted by notifications. I find working in 25-minute slots, with a five-minute break in between, is the most efficient way to power through an essay.

1:00: Lunch
After being in ‘focus mode’ all morning, lunch is a great time to decompress. Chatting about what you’ve just read, learnt or written with flatmates, family, (or even just your cat) helps keep it clear in your mind. It’s also a good chance to mentally congratulate yourself on the studying you’ve achieved so far!

2:00: Study time p. 2
If my mind wanders from work, I switched up what I was studying to give my brain a break. For my end of year assessments, this meant changing from writing an essay to reading a critic, or from reading a text to creating an essay plan. Your brain thrives on change, so keeping it stimulated is key to effective revision.

My degree includes a lot of reading. If I’m struggling, I switch from my book to an audio version (you can find a surprising amount on YouTube), while I do something creative. I recently picked up sewing. It’s way easier to listen to a book while I sew than to skim-read five chapters before realising I haven’t taken in a single word.

4:00 Running
Running is another hobby I’ve started during lockdown, using the NHS’s ‘Couch to 5K’ app. I’m not at 5k yet, but I have got significantly fitter and it’s a great way to clear your head from lockdown stress.

6:00: Dinner
I find cooking especially therapeutic, and lockdown has been a great time to test out new recipes and perfect old ones. So far, my favourite ones have come from Georgina Hayden’s Taverna recipe book, which I recommend to anyone who wants to learn how to cook amazing Greek food.

7:00: Film evening
I have an extensive list of films people tell me I should have watched, but I’ve never got round to. I’ve used lockdown to work through them with my family. For anyone in a long-distance lockdown relationship or who still wants to watch Netflix with their friends, I recommend an app called Kast, which allows you to screen share whatever you’re watching with others.

10:00: Get an early night!
Use lockdown to catch up on your sleep schedule. You no longer have to pull all-nighters or head out to Loop until the early hours. Getting a good night’s sleep also helped me to think more clearly and get better at tackling lockdown stress or anxiety.

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Lockdown has been difficult for many people—for some, economic hardship or unemployment, for others difficult relationships made worse through claustrophobia. No matter what Instagram tells you, you don’t have to learn a new language, redecorate your house and get a first all in one day. Sometimes just getting out of bed is a victory, and that’s okay.

I quickly learnt that feeling wracked with guilt if I didn’t feel motivated was exhausting and unproductive. Instead, I made sure I praised myself for anything I did get done. Whether it was writing one paragraph or reading one chapter, it was better than nothing.