RCVS Mind Matters funds new research into reasonable adjustments for SVNs and workplace wellbeing

Our Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has announced the recipients of its latest mental health research grants – a £5,000 Discovery Grant and a £15,000 Impact Grant.

The Discovery Grant has been awarded to a research project evaluating the implementation of reasonable adjustments in addressing mental health and neurodivergence for student veterinary nurses during clinical placement. The project is being carried out by Dr Heather Imrie MRCVS, Dr Lauren Cooke MRCVS, Dr Gregory Steele MRCVS and Nicola-Jayne Johnson RVN, at Nottingham Trent University. As part of the research, they will explore the implementation of our new Embracing Reasonable Adjustments for Student Veterinary Nurses guidelines.

The Impact Grant has been awarded to Professor Elinor O’Connor from the University of Manchester, and Dr Kevin Teoh from Birkbeck, University of London. They will use the funding to fuel their project researching organisational interventions to support wellbeing in veterinary workplaces.

RCVS Director for the Advancement of the Professions, Angharad Belcher, said: "Research has an essential role to play in creating evidence-based support, which can then go on to directly support veterinary professionals and the wider sector.

"Since 2019, through Mind Matters we’ve provided over £155,000 of funding to a wide range of veterinary mental health research projects focused on contemporary challenges, and are proud to be supporting work which has tangible outcomes."

Discovery Grant recipient, Dr Heather Imrie MRCVS (pictured far right with her team), said: "We are delighted and grateful to receive this grant, which will allow us to explore the challenges of mental health and neurodivergence faced by student veterinary nurses in their clinical placements.

"As a pro-active educational institution, with many years’ experience of training student veterinary nurses, we at Nottingham Trent University plan to shine a broader light on this under-represented but essential group within the veterinary community."

Impact Grant recipient Professor Elinor O’Connor (pictured left), added: "Our project will develop evidence-based, practical guidance for veterinary workplaces on identifying and implementing effective interventions to support staff wellbeing.

"In particular, the focus will be on interventions that address systemic sources of stress, such as workload, rather than interventions that rely largely – or solely – on individual coping skills. This shift in approach has the potential to foster healthier workplace cultures, reduce burnout, and enhance staff engagement and retention in the veterinary sector.”

Applications for the next round of Mind Matters mental health research grants open early 2026. For more information on the grants or applying, please email [email protected] or visit the Mind Matters website.