A message from Student Support Services ahead of the 2020 winter break.

Hi to all our students!

The University will be closed for the winter break from from Wednesday 23 December 2020 to Tuesday 5 January 2021. You won’t be able to access Student Support Services or the Student Services Hub during this time, so this is a reminder of what to do if you feel you need emotional wellbeing support.

Accommodation Operations Assistants

From 7pm on 23 December 2020 to 7am on 5 January 2021, Accommodation Services’ Accommodation Operations Assistants (AOAs) will continue to provide 24 hour cover to all residences, , and will be supported by Student Support Services wellbeing staff in the event of a crisis. The AOAs will be based in the following locations to support students, answer questions, assist with faults and maintain security:

Students can contact the AOAs by visiting the receptions, emailing or calling the numbers above where they’ll be happy to help with welfare needs, maintenance issues and security. In the event of an emergency please call University Security on 01786 467999.

In addition, if students require support in relation to their health and wellbeing, a number of services are available:

Mental Health Support

Students requiring mental health support can access the TogetherAll digital support platform 24/7 and can also access a range of specialist mental health services including Samaritans, Breathing Space, Mind and Shout Crisis Messenger. 

Gender Based/Sexual Violence Support

Students who have experienced gender based/sexual violence can access a range of specialist support services, including Archway which provides support for anyone who has recently been subject to a sexual assault, and Forth Valley Rape Crisis.

Routine Appointments

Students seeking routine appointments with student advisers in January 2020 are advised to contact the Student Hub via Live Chat from 5th January 2021. Information about services available and how to register is available here.

The on campus Airthrey Park Medical Centre will be open during the holidays, with the exception of Friday 25 December 2020, Friday 1 January and Monday 4 January 2021. Further details are available on the NHS inform website. If you need to speak to someone urgently when the GPs are closed, then contact NHS24 on 111.

If you are in an emergency and feel your safety is immediately at risk, please dial 999.

In an emergency, for example if someone is a risk of serious harm from themselves or others, NHS Forth Valley website provides information about services available.

If you are struggling for money over the winter break, please remember that every local authority in Scotland has a Scottish Welfare Fund you may be able to access if you are in a state of emergency.

Here’s to a relaxing peaceful winter break. See you in January 2021!

With very best wishes,

Student Support Services