Preparing university staff to respond to student deaths, including suicide

Claire Bridgman

Principal Associate, Mills & Reeve LLP

Claire has over 10 years of experience in healthcare law. She started her legal career representing NHS Trusts in clinical negligence claims and during medical inquests. Since then, Claire has broadened her expertise and now offers advice on mental health and mental capacity matters. She continues to represent a variety of clients during inquests and enjoys advising and representing her education clients as part of this. Claire enjoys helping clients and witnesses navigate the increasingly complex legal landscape of coronial law, she is mindful of the interactions organisations have with local NHS Trusts and the potential for reputational risk to organisations. Claire aims to help minimise such risks and any associated stress for her clients, and she prides herself on being personable, supportive and approachable. Claire also has many years of experience in delivering training to clients through seminars and lectures.

: https://www.mills-reeve.com/people/claire-bridgman

Sophie Clarke

Mental Health and Wellbeing Advisor, University of Lancashire

Sophie Clarke is a Mental Health and Wellbeing Advisor at the University of Lancashire. Over the past two years she has been working closely as a dedicated, named advisor for their School of Veterinary Medicine.  With a career dedicated to supporting student mental health and wellbeing in higher education, Sophie brings extensive experience in developing inclusive, preventative, and trauma-informed approaches across higher education.

At the school, she works closely with the Coaching and Mentoring team to embed mental health awareness and suicide prevention into the curriculum, championing a whole-school approach supported by senior leadership.

Her collaborative work has helped reduce stigma, increase awareness, and foster a culture of support within a high-risk student population group.

Sophie is passionate about empowering students to thrive and continues to lead initiatives that promote resilience, support students’ mental health and wellbeing and embed a preventative approach.

: /sophie-clarke-650a1414b

Jenny Clough

Director of Student Services , Manchester Metropolitan University

Jenny brings over 30 years of experience in both further and higher education, having held a variety of academic and professional service roles.

In recognition of her exceptional leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, Jenny was awarded the University Citizenship Award at the 2021 staff awards. Under her leadership, several teams within her portfolio have also received institutional recognition through Manchester Metropolitan University staff awards. These include MMU Sport, which was Highly Commended in the ‘Student Experience’ category in 2025; Disability Services, which won ‘Student Initiative of the Year’ in 2021; and Counselling Services, which was named Team of the Year in 2021.

In her current role, Jenny leads the strategic development and delivery of a broad portfolio of student-facing services. These include Counselling, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Inclusion and Disability Services, Student Welfare and Pastoral Support (including Peer Guides, PAL Leaders and Inclusive Learning Communities), Sport, Student Engagement, Academic Study Skills, Student Financial Support, and Student Operations.

Her work is underpinned by a deep commitment to placing students at the heart of all activity. Jenny is passionate about creating inclusive, supportive environments and driving continuous improvements that enhance the student experience and positively shape the lives of young people every day.

Charlotte Flynn

Coaching and Mentoring Lead, University of Lancashire

Charlotte is Coaching and Mentoring Lead at the University of Lancashire. She’s a PCC-level certified coach by the International Coaching Federation with over 500 hours of experience and 200+ hours of coach-specific professional development. Since graduating with a first-class Psychology BSc from the University of Nottingham, she has embedded psychological practices into her leadership and coaching. Positive psychology underpins her work with students and colleagues, which shapes her strengths-based and compassionate approach to development.

Her varied career in higher education spans over the UK and Asia. She worked with Nottinghamshire police to reduce student-related crime, in addition to supporting students in China and Malaysia. Across all roles, her coaching mindset has been the common thread that has enabled her to lead teams, coach peers, and empower students. Her work at the University of Lancashire Veterinary School bridges the gap between academic performance and personal wellbeing. She provides individuals with the tools to navigate the pressures of clinical training and professional life.

Her facilitation style combines clarity, compassion, and creativity by making complex emotional concepts accessible and actionable.  She advocates for proactive mental health education and is passionate about creating spaces where vulnerability is met with respect and understanding. Charlotte’s role enables her to champion reflective practice, growth mindset, and psychological safety in one of the most emotionally demanding professions.

: https://www.lancashire.ac.uk/support/vet-students
: /charlotte-flynn-61129282/?originalSubdomain=uk

Vicki Garry

Senior Manager Projects and Planning, Manchester Metropolitan University

Vicki Garry works in the Academic Registrar’s Office at Manchester Metropolitan University and has responsibility for project delivery, strategic planning and the operational management of key areas of compliance.  With over a decade of experience in the higher education sector, Vicki has a strong track record of successfully leading cross-functional teams to deliver impactful projects that enhance the student experience.

Siân Jones-Davies

Principal Associate, Mills & Reeve LLP

Siân specialises in education, public law and regulatory matters. She has extensive experience of providing legal, regulatory, governance and strategic advice to clients in the higher education, further education and schools sectors. She advises on a range of student-related issues including student contracts and “CMA” / consumer law, complaints and court claims (including for judicial review, breach of contract, duty of care and discrimination), misconduct and discipline, fitness to practise, natural justice and procedural fairness, student mental health, duty of care and safeguarding, and harassment and sexual misconduct. Siân reviews student regulations, policies and procedures and advises on their fair implementation in practice. She is a regular speaker at education sector events and delivers training and workshops to clients. Siân is recognised in Legal 500 as a leading associate.

: https://www.mills-reeve.com/people/sian-jones-davies

Caroline Lord

Assistant Academic Registrar, Manchester Metropolitan University

Caroline has over 30 years’ experience in higher education administration, working in faculty administration at the University of Manchester before moving to Manchester Metropolitan to support institutional student experience initiatives.  As part of her current role, Caroline leads on the identification and management of aspects of risk to students and to the institution.  She is passionate about removing barriers to opportunity and supporting students to get the most out of all that a university experience has to offer.   

Dr Simon Merrywest

Executive Director for the Student Experience, University of Manchester

Dr. Simon Merrywest has been Executive Director for the Student Experience at The University of Manchester since 2017. His team support students through their journey from recruitment to graduation, including the extensive provision of student wellbeing and more specialist support.  They also run a large residential and sport portfolio and operate four overseas centres. He is also co-sponsor of the university’s ambitious residential redevelopment programme. Simon’s previous roles include Director of Faculty Operations for the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health.

Simon co-edited and co-authored the UUK, PAPYRUS and Samaritans HE Postvention Guidance, published in December 2022, to guide HE senior leaders to respond sensitively and quickly after an unexpected student death by suspected suicide. He co-authored and edited more recent guidance: ‘Collective responsibility, collective action to prevent student suicide; Guidance for the higher education sector to reduce risk and restrict access to means of suicide’. He is co-chair of the Greater Manchester Student Mental Health Service Board and was a member of the Expert Advisory Group for the National Confidential Inquiry review of suspected student suicides as well as the TASO Mental Health and Wellbeing Advisory Group.

: https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/dse/about/our-people/simonmerrywest/
: /simon-merrywest-2852823b

Ian Munton

Director of Student Services, Aberystwyth University

Ian is an AMOSSHE Executive Member and Director of Student Services at Aberystwyth University.

: https://www.amosshe.org.uk/about/our-team.html

Andy Shanks

Director of Student Wellbeing, The University of Edinburgh

Andy is an AMOSSHE Executive Member and Director of Student Wellbeing at the University of Edinburgh.

: https://www.amosshe.org.uk/about/our-team.html

Dr Dominique Thompson

Independent Mental Health Consultant, Buzz Consulting

Dr Dominique Thompson is a multi-award winning former GP, young people's mental health expert, TEDx speaker, author and educator, with over two decades of NHS clinical experience.

Dom now works as an independent mental health consultant and speaker, whilst holding roles including; President of the Student Health Association, membership of the UK government’s Higher Education Mental Health Implementation Taskforce, and Clinical Advisor to NICE and Student Minds.

She is author of The Student Wellbeing Series (Trigger Press) for young people, and co-author of How to Grow a Grown Up (PenguinRandomHouse) for parents.

Dom has done two TEDx talks; ‘What I learnt from 78000 GP consultations with university students’  and ‘Understanding Why’.

She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA).

For information about Dom’s work as a consultant and speaker see www.buzzconsulting.co.uk and check out www.growingagrownup.com for free parenting blogs and resources.

: www.buzzconsulting.co.uk
: /dominique-thompson/