We’re Still Here For You - Goodbye 2020!
Posted 17 December 2020
What is still available to you during the winter breakWhat is still available to you during the winter break
We’re nearly there, we’ve nearly done it, 2020 is nearly over.
2020 has been a difficult year for everyone and Covid-19 has impacted everyone in different ways. This year has been challenging for so many of us and I want you all to know how proud I am of every single one of you for getting through it! I also want to say a big thank you for all of your support, cooperation and work this year.
Despite the global pandemic, we have supported students and we’ve made change. The way everyone has come together this year as a community has been incredible to see: you’ve collected food donations, you’ve raised over £20,000 for Movember and you’ve continued to find ways to adapt and socialise during these uncertain times.
We couldn’t have done any of it without you and now it’s time to say farewell for now and we look forward to seeing you in the New Year!
You have all achieved so much this year and now it’s time to get some rest. I know the festive holidays can be difficult for lots of people for different reasons and I wish I could be there for all of you, but I have linked lots of resources below for you if you need support with mental health, money, or housing. Please look after yourselves and each other and stay safe.
The President team and all Hull University Students’ Union Staff will be on holiday from Friday 18th December until the 4th January, so please bear this in mind if you’re getting in touch with us. There will be no drop-in sessions or coffee mornings within this period.
Best wishes for the winter break and Happy New Year!
Phoebe Bastiani
President of the Students’ Union
What’s open and when?
THE LIBRARY
- 17th- 23rd Dec: Normal opening hours
- Christmas Eve: 8:30am-12:30pm
- 25th-28th Dec: Closed
- 29th Dec: Reopens from 9am- 5:30pm
HULL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ UNION ADVICE CENTRE
- The Advice Centre will be available from the 21st- 24th Dec between 11:00am-1:00pm
- It will then be closed and will reopen with normal opening hours from the 4th Jan
STUDENT SERVICES
University Student Services are closing from 18th Dec and will return on the 4th Jan.
STUDENT CENTRAL
Spar is closed and will reopen on 18th January.
Where can I access support?
Whilst we’re not available, please make sure you continue to look after yourself and still access support if and when you need it.
Below are some useful resources and helplines:
Mental Health
TOGETHERALL
Formerly ‘Big White Wall’, Togetherall is a safe online community to support your mental health 24/7.
STUDENT SPACE
Student Space is an online community run by Student Minds; it’s full of useful resources for studying and looking after your mental health during Covid-19 and over the winter break.
THE BLURT FOUNDATION
The Blurt Foundation is a fantastic organisation which aims to raise awareness and increase understanding of mental illness, particularly depression, and support those struggling. They have lots of useful blogs and FREE self-help resources which can be found here.
SURVIVE & THRIVE
You can learn more about looking after your own mental wellbeing with this free online module which can be found here.
LET’S TALK
Let’s Talk Hull is a service that can help support you with depression, low mood, worry, anxiety and panic. The support they can offer includes counselling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Stress Control workshops. You can contact Let’s Talk here or call them on 01482 247111.
SAMARITANS
Samaritans provide support to anyone experiencing emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide. The service is free, confidential, and available 24/7. To speak to someone from Samaritans telephone 116 123.
SHOUT
Shout is a 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help. Contact Shout by texting 85258
MENTAL HEALTH RAPID RESPONSE SERVICE
The NHS's Mental Health Response Service is an urgent service for people living in Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire who are experiencing severe and enduring mental health problems, or an acute mental health crisis. To access the service, call 01482 301701.
HULL & EAST YORKSHIRE MIND
Hull & East Yorkshire Mind offers practical guidance on managing mental health and wellbeing whilst away from home and at university. Visit Hull and East Yorkshire Mind here.
Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is an incredibly frightening experience – and can have profound effects, both physically and emotionally.
The most important thing to remember is that it wasn't your fault, no matter who commits it or where it happens.
Hull University Students' Union is committed to helping to provide support to victims through signposting to appropriate services and guiding anyone that asks for support.
CARE AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT SUITE
The CASA Suite offers free support and practical help to anyone in the Humberside area who has experienced sexual violence and/or sexual abuse. It is completely confidential and personal information does not have to be given to receive help. They have a range of options, including a medical examination that can preserve evidence for future use in court if desired, immediate medical care provided by female medical examiners and support in going to the police. You can contact CASA on 0330 223 01 81 (NOT a helpline as this is only monitored during office hours) or email them at [email protected].
HULL RAPE CRISIS AND SEXUAL ABUSE SERVICE
HRCSAS offer free counselling services through trained counsellors who conduct one-to-one counselling sessions by appointment. They provide a drop-in service on a Wednesday morning 10:00 – 13:00. They also have a helpline open Tuesdays and Thursdays between 13:00 – 16:00 which you can call on 01482 329 990. Alternatively, you can email them at [email protected].
BLUE DOOR
Blue Door is a charitable service that provides support to anyone who has experienced sexual violence. Another service that the Blue Door can offer is the use of 'Independent Sexual Violence Advisers' who provide support for those who have experienced rape, childhood sexual abuse or other sexual offences in the Humberside area. Their role is to ensure you received the help you need in the immediate aftermath and support long term recovery. You can call Blue Door on 0800 197 47 87 or email them at [email protected].
Blue Door is also holding virtual drop-ins on the following days:
- Friday 18th Dec 1:00pm- 3:00pm;
- Every Friday at these times from 8th January onwards.
To refer yourself or a student, you simply need to fill in the form and send this to [email protected] Blue Door will then make their way through the referrals and make contact. You can download the form here .
SURVIVORS UK
Survivors UK is a support charity for male victims of rape and sexual abuse – Survivors UK are based primarily in London but do offer online guidance and signposting for people in the rest of the UK. Their services include counselling, legal support as well as group support. You can contact the helpline webchat here (Mon- Sun 12:00pm- 8:00pm).
SAFELINE
Safeline is a support charity for both men and women who can provide a variety of services – including online counselling and support/guidance via telephone if desired. Their services can include creative therapies and group support. You can call the helpline for men on 0808 800 5005 or the helpline for women on 0808 802 9999. Alternatively, you can email [email protected]
VICTIM SUPPORT
A charity dedicated to supporting victims of crime by providing free and confidential support to help you move beyond the impact of crime.
Specialist teams deliver tailored support to help people recover from the effects of crime and traumatic events. Support can be requested here. You can also call 0808 168 9111(available 24/7).
GALOP
An LGBT+ anti-violence charity specialising in sexual violence as well as hate crime and domestic abuse. Based primarily in London, Galop do offer support and guidance to members of LGBT+ community throughout the UK.
They specialise in support in reporting crimes to the police or answering questions about the criminal justice system. Reports can be made online here. Alternatively you can call the London helpline on 020 7704 2040 (Mon- Fri 10am-4pm) or the National helpline on 0800 999 5428 (Mon- Fri 10am-5pm).
REVENGE PORN HELPLINE
This service offers practical assistance in reporting and removing content online. Whilst they cannot guarantee removal of all images, their partnerships with internet industry partners allows them to minimise the reach, and some of the harm, caused by revenge pornography. They provide coaching and advice on how and when to gather evidence and approach the authorities but cannot undertake criminal investigations or report to the police on the victim's behalf. You can call the helpline on 0345 600 0459 (Mon-Fri 10am – 4pm, excluding bank holidays).
BRIGHT SKY
Bright Sky is a free app to support those affected by domestic abuse, their friends and family, as well as practitioners and employers. It has a UK-wide directory of specialist domestic abuse services and questionnaires to assess the safety of a relationship, alongside resources and information on topics around domestic abuse.
VICTIM FOCUS
If you want to know more about how to care for yourself if you are a victim of sexual assault or violence, you can find a free course on self-care here.
SURVIVORS’ NETWORK
If you have experienced sexual assault or rape, you can also find more resources and support here.
Academic Issues
Your personal supervisors and course reps may be unavailable but you can find out more about each of the following by clicking on the links below:
Hull University Students' Unions Advice Centre can offer support with the following but please bear in mind they may not respond as quickly as normal and you might not get a response before 4th Jan:
- workload concerns;
- allegations of plagiarism;
- mitigating circumstances;
- academic misconduct;
- Personal Supervisor issues;
- academic appeals;
- suspension of studies and repeat years.
You can contact the Advice Centre at [email protected]
Next week I will also be releasing a video with Gina, from our Advice Centre, discussing the above in more detail so watch out for that!
Money
Have you got questions about money, budgeting, or benefits? You can download the money booklet here or visit here.
Housing
Have you got questions about housing contracts or finding accommodation? Download our housing booklet here.
You can find more useful support links on the University website support area here.