Winter break – services, support and activities available

Any students who wish to remain on campus over the winter break are more than welcome to do so, and during this time the University remains committed to providing services and activities that will allow you to enjoy a great experience and access support should you need it.

Here, you can find out more about; travel and safety guidance, service opening hours and support available. You can also keep up-to-date with the latest information on Student News and by following our social media channels, and view the latest events and activities on the My Liverpool app, free for all students to download on the App Store and Google Play.

Travelling over the winter break

If you are planning to travel internationally over the winter break period, please remember, as travel guidance and restrictions may change, it is your responsibility to keep up-to-date with the latest advice and entrance requirements at your destination country, which may include proof of vaccination status, pre-departure and arrival tests and quarantine. We recommend you check all information carefully, including any local travel restrictions within your destination country.

There are currently no restrictions for travelling within the UK, however, as public transport services are likely to be busy or disrupted we recommend you plan your journey in advance wherever possible, and check the service status before you travel.

Campus services and facilities

Below you’ll find an overview of the opening times for campus services and facilities over the winter break:

Libraries

Harold Cohen Library will close at 6pm on Friday 16th December and reopen at 8.30am on Tuesday 3rd January for essential accessibility works. From Tuesday, 3 January, 24/7 opening will resume.

Sydney Jones Library will continue to open 24/7 until Thursday, 22 December. From Friday, 23 December to Tuesday, 3 January, opening hours will be as follows:

  • Friday, 23 December – building closes at 9.30pm
  • Saturday, 24 December – 8.30am – 6pm
  • Sunday, 25 December (Christmas Day) – CLOSED
  • Monday, 26 December (Boxing Day) – CLOSED
  • Tuesday, 27 December – CLOSED
  • Wednesday, 28 – Friday, 30 December – 8.30am-6pm
  • Saturday, 31 December (New Year’s Eve) – CLOSED
  • Sunday, 1 January (New Year’s Day) – CLOSED
  • Monday, 2 January – CLOSED
  • Tuesday, 3 January – opening at 9am and 24/7 opening hours resume

The Sydney Jones Library Help Desk will be closed from Saturday, 24 December to Tuesday, 3 January, so if you need support please access support via our online enquiry service.

During the winter break, study spaces will be open and you will be able to access and borrow books from the shelves.

All of our online resources such as databases, e-books and e-journals will continue to be available 24 hours a day via the library website as well as KnowHow Academic Skills online tutorials. Access the tutorials via the KnowHow: Study for success module on Canvas:

Liverpool Guild of Students

Here are the Guild’s Christmas Opening Hours:

Starbucks

  • Saturday, 17 December 9am – 6pm
  • Sunday, 18 December 10am – 4pm
  • Monday, 19 December 7am-6pm
  • Tuesday, 20 December 7am-12pm
  • Open for takeout only from 7am – 6pm on 21 and 22 December and 7am – 4pm on the 23 December
  • Closed from 4pm Friday, 23 December, reopens Wednesday, 4 January 7am – 6pm
  • Thursday, 5 January 7am-6pm
  • Friday, 6 January 7am – 6pm
  • Saturday, 7 January 9am – 6pm
  • Sunday, 8 January 10am – 4pm

Courtyard, Mountford Hall and Sphinx

  • Closed from midnight Friday, 16 December until 12pm Monday, 9 January

Guild Shop

  • Closed from 5pm Friday, 16 December until 9am Monday, 9 January

Online Shop, Advice Centre and Reception

  • Closed from 12pm Tuesday, 20 December until 9am Wednesday, 4 January

Sport Liverpool

During the winter break period the Sports & Fitness Centre opening hours will be as follows:

  • Monday, 19 to Friday, 23 December 2022 – 7am to 8pm
  • Saturday, 24 December to Monday, 2 January 2023 – CLOSED
  • Tuesday, 3 to Friday, 6 January – 7am to 8pm
  • Saturday, 7 January – 8am to 3pm
  • Sunday, 8 January – 9am to 2pm
  • Monday, 9 – Friday, 13 January – 7am to 8pm
  • Saturday, 14 January – 8am to 3pm
  • Sunday, 15 January – 9am to 2pm
  • Normal term opening hours will commence on Monday, 16 January 2023

Throughout the break, our outdoor Basketball zones and gym equipment will be available for use at all times. Take part in one of online classes including Yoga, Body Balance & HiiT – you can access the Sport Liverpool YouTube channel here.

Halls

Anybody who wishes to remain in Halls for the winter break, or part of it, is more than welcome to do so. Halls will remain open for the entirety of the break and the Halls Life Team have some activities planned to help keep you entertained.

  • Monday, 19 December – Christmas baking kits will be available for you and your flatmates. Available on a first come, first served basis.
  • Wednesday, 21 December – Halls for the Holidays Mixer; enjoy Dominos pizza, prosecco, and Christmas treats, with the chance to meet other people who will be staying in Halls over the winter break.
  • Wednesday, 4 January – Craft Night; head over to the Vine Mezzanine to chill out and create your next masterpiece. Snacks are provided.

Keep checking our Halls Life website for further information on staying in halls over the winter break.

Campus safety

Any students concerned about safety over the winter break period can find further guidance about how to keep yourself, your property and possessions safe here.

Accessing support

Over the winter break period, Student Services will be providing a drop-in support session in the KnowHow room at the Sydney Jones library between 10am and 2pm on Wednesday, 28, Thursday, 29 and Friday, 30 December.

Emergency and out of hours support

For immediate support over the winter break you should contact the following:

Feeling unwell?

If you are feeling ill and are concerned ring NHS on 111. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

To get help from NHS 111, you can:

  • Go online to uk
  • Call 111 for free from a landline or mobile phone.

Mental health support

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis including thinking about self-harm or suicide, contact the Urgent Care Line by calling 0800 145 6570.  If you have serious physical injuries which require treatment in a hospital environment you should go to accident and emergency (A&E).  Please only call 999 if you feel you require immediate assistance for a life-threatening situation.

Students can also access Health Assured, a free, confidential advice line, with help available to talk through any problem, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (including Christmas Day).

The helpline is confidential. Qualified counsellors and advisors understand the pressures of student life, and are there to help anyone who needs it. Sometimes, simply talking through your issues with someone, in the moment, can be a great relief.

Call the 24/7 helpline for free: 0800 028 3766.

Other listening services include:

  • Samaritans: call 116123 (24 hours, 365 days a year)
  • Papyrus: call HopelineUK 0800 068 41 41 (9am – 10pm weekdays, 2pm – 10pm at weekends and on bank holidays.

Financial support

We are also aware that this time of year can be difficult financially for students. If you are unable to go home during the break or, you are an independent student staying in Liverpool and you are worried about money over the winter break period please contact Money Advice and Guidance for advice.

Please remember, if you find you or someone you know is in an emergency situation you should contact 999 immediately.

Support for International students

For any international students staying on campus, we also recommend you watch International Advice and Guidance’s ‘Staying in the UK over the Winter Break’ presentation for further information about the services, activities and support available to international students. You can view a recording here.