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Supporting our students during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought new challenges for our students and any member of our staff who interacts with students, regardless of their role, may be called upon to offer help and advice.

Over the last few months the University has published details of the wide range of guidance, resources and student experience offerings available for students who are self-isolating and the rest of the student population (non-isolating).

To follow is an overview of guidance, resources and student experience offerings available to students which will prove useful in signposting students to the right specialist advice and support at the right time.

Self-isolating students

Students who are required to self-isolate are identified either:

• through a positive test via the University’s COVID test centre or,
• through self-identification via the student reporting procedure

Please note there may be further students who are self-isolating who have not reported themselves.

Those students who have been identified as requiring to self-isolate are directly contacted via the Contact Tracing or Halls teams and provided with practical support, including how to access food, supplies and support services. Students who are self-isolating in our Halls are provided with free food boxes. The Team also check on wellbeing support needs and provide appropriate signposting and referrals.

Support

All self-isolating students have access to a wide range of support including, but not limited to, isolation chats, the Fika app and Student Services who are available to contact for support through video (Microsoft Teams or Zoom), phone and email. Student Services is comprised of; Student Welfare Advice and Guidance, Counselling Service, Mental Health Advisory Service, Advice and Guidance, Disability Advice and Guidance, International Advice and Guidance, and Money Advice and Guidance.

Virtual activities and events

Virtual activities have been designed and collated from across the University and via partners to help support the student experience. These include; academic, professional and study skills development e.g. academic department-led events and activities, KnowHow and career sessions; a cultural programme of activities and online resources; corporate events e.g. Liverpool Responds series; and virtual city-based events, activities and resources.

The University has also worked closely with Liverpool Guild of Students to put in place a range of online activities for students to get involved in this term. Activities include crafternoons, wellbeing workshops, virtual quizzes, and speed mate-ing sessions, allowing students the opportunities to interact with their peers and meet new people.

Activities and events will be housed locally on our website (i.e. corporate events via the Tulip events listing) and work is ongoing to list everything on https://liverpoolguild.native.fm/

Various digital packages for our students are also being developed which will focus on discounts, exclusive trials and online resources. Liverpool Guild of Students are currently sourcing partnerships, to be marketed as a dual branded product from the University and the Guild.

Non-isolating students

Students not required to self-isolate can access all the virtual resources and activities (as above). In addition, services on campus are open (with new measures in place), these include:

• Sport Liverpool: AU sports (where possible) continuing at Wyncote, Sports & Fitness Centre open (pre-booking required), reduced class timetable, Greenbank gym open (pre-booking required). Find out more

• Liverpool Guild of Students: Mountford, Sphinx and Courtyard all open (with new measures including only sitting within households, alcohol only served as part of meal), Starbucks open (takeaway only), Reception open, Guild Shop open, societies (virtual only). Find out more

• Libraries: Bookable study spaces in both libraries and the VGM from 10am-midnight daily, Click and Collect service in both libraries. Find out more

Students are also being encouraged to safely explore the Liverpool City Region, whilst adhering to the latest local and national restrictions, and we are working closely with our partner organisations to promote relevant outlets, events and activities.

Social media

Students are encouraged to follow the Student News pages and the University’s social media channels, for the latest updates.

Professor Gavin Brown, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education, said: “We know this year is exceptionally challenging and we think it is more important than ever to acknowledge that the University experience is about much more than just an education.

“Individual circumstances for our students can vary considerably and, as such, we would like to ensure all students know there is a wide range of support available to help them during this unprecedented time.”

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