Monday 7 April 2025 marks the World Health Organisation’s annual World Health Day, which annually draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world. This year’s theme is Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.
Westminster's Institute for Healthy Urban Living is offering a variety of health-focused activities for both colleagues and students. These events are designed to help you enhance your health and well-being.
Our full programme of activities
Location: New Cavendish Campus
Join us for a free day of activities. These events will run on a first-come, first-served basis, so be quick with booking your place. You can take part in one or more sessions to discover ways to improve your health.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to focus on your wellbeing.
- 10am-12pm, Ground floor New Cavendish Campus: Footways London: Explore Our Walkable Community
Join Footways London, a local social enterprise aligned with the University’s mission to encourage more walking, as they bring a fun and informative experience to our campus.
They’ll be on hand with brand-new maps highlighting the walkable gems and landmarks of our community. Plus, they’ll be offering a guided 35-minute walk, where you’ll not only discover the health and wellbeing benefits of walking, but also uncover fascinating stories about the landmarks surrounding our beloved Fitzrovia campus.
This walk is limited to 20 participants, so be sure to sign up now to secure your spot and learn how walking can positively impact your health while exploring the rich history right at our doorstep.
- 10am-4pm, Ground floor New Cavendish Campus, drop-in: Free Health Checks
NHS GPs will be on-site to provide free blood pressure and health checks. Take this opportunity to get the information you need to improve your health, ease your mind and learn what steps to take next for better wellbeing. Each session will last approximately 10-15 minutes.
Drop by the entrance of the Polyclinic on the ground floor of the New Cavendish Campus, where our team will be available to assist you.
You'll also be able to sit down for a 20-minute one-to-one session to discuss anything affecting your mental health and wellbeing.
No booking required. Drop-in sessions by the entrance of the Polyclinic on the ground floor of the New Cavendish Campus.
- 10am-1pm, corner of Cleveland Street and New Cavendish Street: Westminster Wheels - Your Local Cycling Support
Westminster Wheels is a local organisation dedicated to encouraging London’s diverse communities to cycle more. It offers a range of programmes, including providing bikes to those in need and free bike maintenance through its Dr Bike service which will be situated on the corner of Cleveland Street and New Cavendish Street where two mechanics will be on hand.
Need advice on improving your cycling skills? They’re happy to help. Looking for a full menu of bike services? They've got you covered. Have old inner tubes to recycle? They’ll take those too.
Westminster Wheels will be on campus to answer your questions about cycling, help you access training or assist with obtaining a bike. Plus, you can get your bike serviced for free.
No booking required: Drop-in sessions will be on the corner of Cleveland Street and New Cavendish Street.
- 12-1pm, Room G28 Clinic Room 4, Ground floor of New Cavendish Campus: Mental Fitness: Diet, body and Mind lecture
Dr Claire Robertson will provide students and colleagues with a lecture on nutrition for focus.
Her lecture is an interactive and engaging lecture to help attendees reconsider how to maximise mental performance through food choices.
Book your place - Places are limited to 30 so book quickly to save disappointment
- 1.30-3pm, Ground floor New Cavendish Campus: Free Yoga for Stress Management and Health
James Chapman, a yoga instructor specialising in mental health with 20 years of experience, will lead a session focused on managing pre-exam stress and improving overall health. This event will explore the mental and respiratory benefits of yoga, demonstrating how combining movement and mental focus can enhance long-term wellbeing and build resilience to daily stress. These events have a limit of 30 per session so do book using the link below.
You can choose from the following sessions:
- 1.30-1.50pm: Short lecture on the science behind yoga's benefits. Register here
- 1.45-3.30pm: 30-minute beginner-friendly yoga class. Register here
- 2.30-2.45pm: Breathwork techniques for stress management. Register here
- 2.45-3pm: Mindfulness tools for building mental resilience. Register here
- 2- 4pm, Ground floor New Cavendish Campus: Free Soft Tissue Release and Muscle Energy Massages
Francis Poku, one of the University's own fitness instructors, will offer free 20-minute Soft Tissue Release and Muscle Energy Technique massages. These treatments are designed to help improve muscle function and alleviate tension.
Participants can choose from the following sessions:
- 2-2.20pm: session one - register here
- 2.30-2.50pm: session two - register here
- 3-3.20pm: session three - register here
- 3.30-3.50pm: session four - register here
- 3.15-4pm, Ground floor New Cavendish Campus: Aerobic (HIIT) with Rumble Gym
We’re excited to announce that Rumble Gym, a friendly neighbour of our New Cavendish Campus, will be joining us for a special event. They will be offering a free taster of one of their fantastic classes right here at the Institute for Healthy Urban Living.
This beginner-friendly HIIT class will feature a series of short, high-intensity movements designed to get your heart pumping and boost those feel-good endorphins. It’s a wonderful way to energize your day and experience the positive benefits of physical movement!
In addition, delicious Ideas Food Group have offered to sponsor the event by supplying the event.
Space is limited to just 12 participants, so be sure to register quick to secure your spot and avoid any disappointment.
We can’t wait to see you there!
