Students have been faced with unique challenges to university life during the coronavirus pandemic, and given the uncertainties of the current situation, you may be worried about what might happen during the winter break.
To help you think about, plan for and manage the festive period, Student Space have created a range of articles, services and tools to support you through the next few weeks.
The Student Space website features advice and wellbeing resources that are safe, confidential, and developed with students and experts. They also offer dedicated support by phone, text, email and webchat to help you through the challenges of coronavirus.
How to access support at the University
Over the winter break period, Student Services will be providing a Wellbeing drop-in at the Sydney Jones library from 10am to 2pm on Monday, 21 December 2020 to Wednesday, 23 and Tuesday, 29 to Thursday, 31 December 2020. Our Counselling Service will be offering a social day on Tuesday, 29 December for anyone on campus to simply come down for a chat, coffee and pre-wrapped cakes!
Students can also contact the COVID Guidance and Travel Plans helpline if you have any issues linked to COVID that you need support with. This includes welfare issues, accessing food and essentials boxes for those self-isolating, and travel advice. Students can call the team on 0151 795 9500. Lines are currently open Monday-Sunday 10am to 4.30pm.
Opening hours during winter break are as follows:
- Wednesday, 23 December: 10am to 4.30pm
- Thursday, 24 to Monday, 28 December: Closed
- Tuesday, 29 December: 11am to 3pm
- Wednesday, 30 December: 11am to 3pm
- Thursday, 31 December to Friday, 1 January: Closed
- Saturday, 2 January onwards: 10am to 4.30pm
If you are remaining in Halls over the winter break you will be contacted directly about engaging in Check in Chats with your Residential Advisers.
Further support resources are listed here.
Emergency and out of hours support
For support on mental health and wellbeing over the winter break you can contact the following organisations:
- Student Space offers students wellbeing advice and support. They can be contacted by: Text ‘student’ to 85258 24 hours a day 7 days a week, phone 0808 1895260 – 4pm to 11pm
- Samaritans can be contacted 24/7 on 116123 or you can email jo@samaritans.org and you will get a response within 24 hours
- Papyrus can be contacted on 0800 068 4141 every day 9am to 12 midnight
- Text SHOUT on 85258 who offer 24/7 text mental health support and are open 24/7
Fika app
Available free to all students until 31 December 2020, Fika is a mental fitness app giving you access to an additional tool to stay motivated, productive, focused and connected during this period of remote work and study.
NHS 5 Steps to Wellbeing
To maintain your wellbeing year-round you can try implementing the NHS 5 steps to wellbeing into your daily routine:
| Connect
Connect with the people around you: your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. Spend time developing these relationships. Learn more here. |
| Be active
You don’t have to go to the gym. Take a walk, go cycling or play a game of football. Find an activity that you enjoy and make it a part of your life. Learn more here. |
| Keep learning
Learning new skills can give you a sense of achievement and a new confidence. So why not sign up for that cooking course, start learning to play a musical instrument, or figure out how to fix your bike? Learn more here. |
| Give to others
Even the smallest act can count, whether it’s a smile, a thank you or a kind word. Larger acts, such as volunteering at your local community centre, can improve your mental wellbeing and help you build new social networks. Learn more here. |
| Be mindful
Be more aware of the present moment, including your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you. Some people call this awareness “mindfulness”. It can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges. Learn more here. |
Please remember, if you find you or someone you know is in an emergency situation you should contact 999 immediately.