What are the Welfare Services Provided by Newcastle University?
'Newcastle University offers a wide range of welfare services to support students throughout their studies. These services are provided by the Student Health and Wellbeing Services and are free for all current students. Existing services include:
Disability Support: The University provides support for students with disabilities through in-person, video call, or phone appointments. Disabled students can also apply for funding support, with the type of funding available depending on their course, home country, and funding body.
Mental Health Support: The University has specialist practitioners who work closely with students to assess their needs and provide appropriate support. Resources and support are available for students experiencing low moods, sadness, depression, stress, anxiety, panic or loneliness.
24/7 Support: Students have access to support at any time through online tools and wellbeing apps like TalkCampus, iNCLude, and Umii.
Counselling Services: The University offers short-term, free counselling for students dealing with various life issues. Counselling is available in person, over the phone, or via Microsoft Teams. If longer-term therapy is needed, students are referred to the right provider.
Wellbeing Workshops: The University also runs various well-being workshops throughout the year to help students manage their mental and physical health'.
Where should students go if they have any concerns or worries?
'Students at Newcastle University have several options for accessing support, depending on their needs.
Welfare and Support Centre (Students' Union): Located on the ground floor of the Students' Union, the Welfare and Support Centre welcomes students to drop in for a chat or to get information on local services. This centre offers various resources to support your well-being. While they might not have the answer to every individual need, they can guide you to the right services or work with you on new ideas to support student mental health.
Student Advice Centre (Students' Union): If you need help with housing, finance, academic issues or mental health referrals, the Student Advice Centre is the place to go. The Centre's advisers are knowledgeable in a wide range of topics and can provide impartial, professional advice. They offer appointments both in person (Level 0, Students' Union) and online via Microsoft Teams. If you have specific accessibility needs, they can arrange accommodations like sign language interpreters or Zoom meetings. The Centre maintains strict confidentiality, so you can feel comfortable discussing any personal problems.
Student Wellbeing Services (University): For those who feel they need extra support or wish to speak with professional practitioners, the University's Student Wellbeing Services are available. Whether it's dealing with mental health challenges or other personal concerns, this service offers the professional help you may need.'
Finally, can you tell us a bit about your role as a Sabbatical Officer?
'As the Wellbeing & Equality Officer, my primary responsibility is to ensure that every student at Newcastle University feels safe, healthy, and supported both on and off campus.
"My primary responsibility is to ensure that every student at Newcastle University feels safe"
One of the key initiatives I'll be continuing is the Exam Wellbeing Campaign, which aims to boost student morale during exam and assignment season. This involves giving away freebies like ice cream, sweet treats, and positive affirmation cards to help students feel encouraged and supported.
An important aspect of my role is providing Day-to-Day Student Support. This means being available to listen to students' concerns directly and offering a safe space for them to chat. I also help by directing students to the appropriate university services or external services that can assist them further.
Additionally, I am committed to Tackling Sexual Violence on Campus. I will be working closely with the University to implement in-person active bystander and consent training sessions for students.
Another priority from my manifesto is addressing the Cost of Living Crisis. I will work with existing teams to raise awareness of the hardship funds provided by the University and streamline the application process so students can access help faster. My goal is to ensure that no student has to choose between essential needs like books, food, or housing.
My role is all about making sure that every student feels heard, supported, and empowered during their time at Newcastle University'.