What is Healthy U?
The Healthy U volunteer program is an opportunity for students to become peer health educators on campus and gain hands-on experience in the field of health promotion and prevention. A Healthy U volunteer is a trained individual who is committed to educating their peers and raising awareness on a variety of health and wellness topics. These topics include mental health, sexual health, physical health, substance use, social and cultural wellness, and finding a balance.
We are excited to encourage students to share their experiences and knowledge with the program. Our training is intended to add on to existing knowledge of health and wellness topics our volunteers may have. We believe this program improves by considering both new training material and individual skill brought by each student.
What Do Healthy U Volunteers Do?
Based in the Student Wellness Centre, Healthy U volunteers provide mental health, physical health, substance use, sexual health and relationships education and support through facilitating outreach events and presentations to groups on campus, creating online health promotion content, and individual (one to one) peer support appointments with students.
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As a Healthy U volunteer, you will:
Be scheduled for one 2-hour shift in the Student Wellness Centre per week, during which you will work on health promotion content and may meet with students individually
Assist with general operations of the Student Wellness Centre (e.g., greeting students, providing resources, etc.)
Engage in health promotion through outreach and/or social media (your preferred focus will be indication on your application form):
Outreach health promotion includes:
Planning, designing, and hosting interactive outreach events and/or presentations to educate University of Manitoba students on health-related topics
Reviewing and learning existing, structured workshops which will be delivered to student groups on campus
Social media/online health promotion includes:
Contributing to online content through social media accounts (including photos, videos, reels, and lives), blogs, and website material on health-related topics
Promote health and wellness resources on and off campus
Collaborate with other student groups or organizations/departments on campus to address specific health and wellness topics
Attend weekly meetings for additional training and team meetings
Opportunity to attend Bannatyne campus to support various health and wellness initiatives
2025-2026 commitment:
Attend and complete mandatory fall training and team building:
Complete the online Healthy U Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility UMLearn Module prior to September 1st, 2025 (estimated time: 3 hours)
Review the Healthy U manual prior to September 1st, 2025 (estimated time: 1 day)
In-person training September 2nd, 2025 from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
In-person training September 5th, 2025 from 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm
The commitment/expectation of the program is 4-6 hours weekly
Attend topic related training and team meetings in person each Friday from 2:30 – 4:00 pm (excluding reading week and exam breaks) during the academic year
Attend volunteer shifts in-person on a weekly basis – likely 2 hours/week (excluding reading week and exam breaks)
Who are Healthy U Volunteers?
Students who are chosen to be part of the program are required to:
Commit to volunteer with the program for the 2025-2026 academic term
Have attended University for at least one year prior to volunteering with Healthy U
Be enrolled as a full-time University of Manitoba undergraduate or graduate student for the duration of the 2025-2026 academic year
Have a GPA of 2.5 or above
The Student Wellness Centre strives to be an inclusive, safer, and judgement-free space. As Healthy U strives for diversity, volunteers demonstrate the following requirements and characteristics aligned with the values of the Student Wellness Centre:
·       Non-judgmental and accepting attitude towards othersÂ
·       Empathy and compassion
·       Reliability and time management
·       Commitment to confidentiality
·       Respect and curiosity about diverse perspectives
·       Enthusiasm about creating a healthy campus environment
·       Commitment to reducing stigma and implementing a harm reduction approach
·       Enjoys working well independently and with others
*Volunteers are not required to have prior experience or be enrolled with a specific faculty.
What are the Benefits of Being Part of Healthy U?
Develop highly sought-after skills transferable to the workforce such as planning and project development, group facilitation, health education, and interpersonal skills
Gain experience volunteering in the field of health and wellness
Be involved in a multi-pronged approach to addressing the health education interests of your peers
Gain a sense of community and belonging
Receive University of Manitoba Experience Record recognition
Receive training from highly qualified professionals (in past Healthy U years this has included staff and faculty from the Student Counselling Centre, Health and Wellness, Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, Sexual Violence Resource Centre, and the Centre for Equity, Diversion, and Inclusion).
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How to Apply:
A completed application will include: a cover letter, resume, a screenshot of grades in Aurora and completed application form (found below). A completed application can be sent to healthyu@umanitoba.ca
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The posting will close on March 31st, 2025 at 11:59 pm CST.Â
Only successful candidates will be contacted for an interview. Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Healthy U!
If you have questions about Healthy U – University of Manitoba, Coordinator, Student Health and Wellness Education, Amy Bousquet amy.bousquet@umanitoba.ca 204 295 9032