Brock\u2019s Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre (SWAC) applied for the award on behalf of the University, highlighting the Centre\u2019s sustained and intentional focus on student feedback and program co-creation.<\/p>\n
\u201cStudent engagement is what drives the programs we deliver, including how and when we deliver them,\u201d said SWAC Director Sarah Pennisi. \u201cOur constant connection and dialogue with students at both an individual and group level is why I think we\u2019ve been selected as finalists.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Finalist_Badge_Best-Youth-Engagement-20-Staff_BrockUniversity-copy.png\"){kind=icon}
Brock University has been selected as an award finalist for Best Youth Engagement in the inaugural CharityVillage Awards.<\/p><\/div>\n
SWAC regularly involves students in co-creating services and service delivery. A recent example is students helping to establish Brock’s Mental Health and Addiction Services Plan.<\/p>\n
\u201cBrock was among the first universities in Ontario to establish such a plan,\u201d Pennisi said. \u201cInvolving students in co-creating the plan and in establishing priorities means that we are responding to their needs directly. Needs change all the time, so the most important thing for us is to keep the dialogue going.\u201d<\/p>\n
SWAC also regularly reaches out to equity-seeking community groups on campus, such as sex workers and the two-spirit, lesbian, gay, trans, bisexual, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual (2SLGTBQQIA) student population, to better understand their health and wellness needs, seek feedback and implement changes according to their recommendations.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to ensure that the supports, programming and services we offer are inviting, welcoming and safe for these populations of students,\u201d said Pennisi.<\/p>\n
Youth are also engaged through SWAC employment opportunities, such as Peer Supports. Student peers are involved in educating, informing and engaging students with information, resources and support regarding mental health, sexual health and accessibility.<\/p>\n
Additional examples of SWAC\u2019s ongoing youth engagement include seeking feedback from students via the SWAC Advisory Panel; surveys, such as the Healthy Minds Study<\/a>; and comments received via the SWAC website and the new My SSP mobile app, which is a one-year pilot partnership with LifeWorks.<\/p>\n