Starting college or university can be a big change. It brings independence and a chance to shake up habits, perhaps trying new opportunities, experiences or routines.
If you're helping students get more active, This Girl Can on Campus has insight, advice and ideas on what you can do, as well as guidelines on how to work with and use the This Girl Can campaign and brand.
Top tips
1
Meet your students where they are
Build a deep understanding of your students' needs and barriers. Talk to them and find out more about what stops them getting active, and what would help them.
Understanding their barriers and motivations is key in helping you shape and build activities for them on campus.
Understanding their barriers and motivations is key in helping you shape and build activities for them on campus.
2
Focus on what’s new and different
Many of your students may have found traditional PE activities and approaches off-putting, so make it clear this is not sport as they might remember it from school.
New ideas and opportunities, such as boxing or UV dance classes, may help them get rid of any emotional baggage or worry they’re not good enough to take part. If it’s new, everyone is a beginner again.
New ideas and opportunities, such as boxing or UV dance classes, may help them get rid of any emotional baggage or worry they’re not good enough to take part. If it’s new, everyone is a beginner again.
3
Create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere
Movement should make us feel joyful, free or strong. It should help us feel better about ourselves and our lives.
This only works if you create a warm, social and friendly environment – starting with how someone is greeted through to the support they get during a class or activity and encouragement to come back or join the group for a coffee.
People may need to be actively invited without being singled out. Remember what it’s like to be new at something – everyone finds it hard to push open a door for the first time.
This only works if you create a warm, social and friendly environment – starting with how someone is greeted through to the support they get during a class or activity and encouragement to come back or join the group for a coffee.
People may need to be actively invited without being singled out. Remember what it’s like to be new at something – everyone finds it hard to push open a door for the first time.
4
Be inclusive
Belong starts with inclusion – and your activities need to be inclusive. Anticipate the needs of your target audiences before they have to ask.
This can include practical aspects – for example wheelchair accessible spaces, women-only sessions or blinds in the window for privacy.
It can also be the way you promote them – make sure you’re using relatable, representative images of the women you’re trying to reach in any posters, posts or other publicity.
And think about how you welcome them to the session, making it clear that everyone is invited.
This can include practical aspects – for example wheelchair accessible spaces, women-only sessions or blinds in the window for privacy.
It can also be the way you promote them – make sure you’re using relatable, representative images of the women you’re trying to reach in any posters, posts or other publicity.
And think about how you welcome them to the session, making it clear that everyone is invited.
Activation ideas
This Girl Can Week
A 'This Girl Can Week' at your university or college can be a real focal point that helps you reach more students.
You can involve your university or college networks – such as the student union, societies and clubs – to run inclusive, fun and social sessions throughout the week, so students of all abilities can get involved.
These should be beginner-friendly and non-judgemental – it’s not the week for team try-outs – across different activities.
Sport taster sessions
No-experience-needed taster sessions can encourage students to try something new or return to something they once enjoyed. Providing kit and equipment can also reduce financial barriers to entry.
Students can try activities without the pressure of committing to a long-term membership and discover what they enjoy before signing up to future sessions.
Make it clear it’s just about taking part, not about scoring goals or notching up PBs.
Walk and talk
Walking counts, too – and can be particularly good for students who don’t want to take part in traditional sports.
Outdoor exercise has proven mental as well as physical health benefits and organised walks can be a great way of combatting campus isolation and loneliness.
It’s much easier to talk when you’re physically doing something else at the same time.
How to use the This Girl Can brand
This Girl Can is funded with National Lottery Good Causes money, and we have to make sure it’s being used appropriately.
Sign up as a supporter, read our brand guidelines and follow these light-touch dos and don’ts and you’ll be fine!
- Don’t create merchandise using our name or logo, whether it's sold or given away. This includes clothing, kits, accessories and prizes, but this list is not exhaustive.
- Don’t refer to your activation as an official partnership.
- Once you've registered as an online supporter, you can refer to your organisation as being a This Girl Can supporter and use the lock-up logo as outlined in the brand guidelines.
- Our brand guidelines are there to help you; do make sure you read and understand them. It will save time and possibly expense.
- Do send all event/activity ideas and asset creations to us for sign-off before use. By signing up to use This Girl Can you are effectively receiving a National Lottery award, and we have a responsibility to ensure it is being used properly.
- We’d love to see what you are doing and hear about your success stories – do please share your work with us and we may be able to share it more broadly too.
This Girl Can with You
Check out some of the colleges and universities who've activated This Girl Can:
Warwick Sport
Warwick Sport have created safe, supportive spaces at the University of Warwick, empowering students and staff to feel confident and comfortable being active.
Students' Union UCL
UCL’s This Girl Can Campaign Week brought students together through welcoming, low-pressure activities designed to be enjoyable and bring people together.
East Lancashire Learning Group
East Lancashire Learning Group ran a student-led week of adapted, girls-only activities to engage students in physical activity.