Campus to Campus: Stories in Motion is a rapidly growing movement committed to fostering meaningful dialogue and driving positive change within student mental health, explains Founder Katherine Allan.
In 2024, three students independently shared that they might have taken their own lives had I not kept reaching out after they drifted from a project at a London university.
That moment changed everything. I (www.linkedin.com/in/katherinesarahallan) began researching student mental health in earnest and quickly realised the problem was bigger, and more urgent than I had imagined. According to ONS data, one student dies by suicide every four days in the UK. We needed collective action.
Campus to Campus
Launched in 2025, Campus to Campus: Stories in Motion is now gaining momentum across the UK and transforming conversations around student mental health.
Born from a series of heartfelt discussions with students, mental health experts, education professionals, and early-career teams, it addresses a shared challenge; despite common struggles, these groups rarely occupy the same space to listen, share stories, and collaborate on solutions.
Through walking events, panels, and conferences held at universities and corporations, the initiative brings together students, educators, mental health professionals, and industry leaders. We gather to listen, learn, and connect - because we believe these are the foundations of sustainable change.
Commitment to act
At the heart of C2C is a commitment to act on what we learn. Early career graduates and students today face rising loneliness, disconnection, and low confidence - all amplified by financial strain, fragmented learning, and limited support.
We must move beyond well-meaning silos and co-design an ecosystem alongside young people, shaped by those a few chapters ahead.
In practice
The initiative began with a symbolic walk at Royal Holloway, University of London, and has since travelled to Winchester, Southampton, and Brunel University London - with more campuses joining the movement each month. Universities are encouraged to get involved in an end of year event in the autumn.
Physical movement is a core component of the campaign. Regular activity like walking can reduce the risk of depression by up to 30%, while also boosting self-esteem, easing stress, and improving overall mental wellbeing. When done outdoors - especially in natural green spaces - the mental benefits are even greater (MentalHealth.org.uk).
Challenge in context
According to the 2024 Student Money & Wellbeing Report by Blackbullion:
- 46% of UK students are now commuter students
- 20% live at home out of necessity, not choice
- Many juggle multiple part-time jobs without access to flexible learning schedules.
Meanwhile, loneliness remains a defining issue. A report by the Campaign to End Loneliness found that 9.7% of people aged 16 – 29, ‘often or always’ feel lonely, more than twice the rate of those over 70.
As university mental health services come under further strain from institutional restructuring, our moral responsibility becomes clearer. We must ensure future generations feel supported, understood, and able to thrive - not just in education, but in life beyond.
Campus to Campus exists to challenge the status quo and co-create that future.