A message from Student Support Services ahead of the 2021 winter break (Wednesday 22 December 2021 to Tuesday 4 January inclusive).
Hi to all our students!
Students are advised that the Student Services Hub will be available for Live Chat on the Student Portal, email and face to face enquiries on the following days (from 10am to 4pm):
- Wednesday 22 December
- Tuesday 28 December
- Wednesday 29 December
- Thursday 30 December
Out with these times the team are available for urgent wellbeing and self-isolation email support (more info below) and will resume routine opening hours and student appointments from Wednesday 5 January.
In this blog we’re also sharing some additional information on what to do if you feel you need emotional wellbeing support:
Student Learning Services
Student Learning Services will be closed from Wednesday 22 December 2021 until Tuesday 4 January 2022 (inclusive). Bookable sessions will be available again from Wednesday 5 January 2022 (email sls@stir.ac.uk to book).
Accommodation Operations Assistants
The Accommodation Services Administration office (based in Willow Court) will be closed from 5pm on Tuesday 21 December 2021. It will reopen at 9am on Wednesday 5 January 2022.
From 7pm on Thursday 23 December 2021 to 7am on Wednesday 5 January 2022, Accommodation Operations Assistants (AOA) will be based in the following buildings 24/7:
- Beech Court: 01786 466972 and beechcourt@stir.ac.uk
- John Forty’s Court: 01786 466977 and johnfortyscourt@stir.ac.uk
- Union Street Development: 01786 466978 and unionstthistle@stir.ac.uk
- Alexander Court: 01786 466094 and alexandercourt@stir.ac.uk
You can contact the AOAs by visiting the receptions, emailing or calling the numbers above and they’ll be happy to help with any welfare needs, maintenance issues and security.
In the event of an emergency, please call University Security on 01786 467999. The housekeeping teams will also be available on various dates.
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.
Urgent Wellbeing Support
If students require urgent support in relation to their health and wellbeing they can email wellbeingsupport@stir.ac.uk. This mailbox will be monitored 9am to 5pm 22 to 24, 27 to 31 December 2021 and 4 January 2022. For emergency support visit our Out of Hours pages.
Self-isolation Support
Students who are isolating due to COVID-19 – either in University or private accommodation – will continue to be contacted regularly by Student Support Services, and can reach out for support during the holidays via isolationsupport@stir.ac.uk.
Routine Appointments
Students seeking routine appointments with student advisers in January 2022 are advised to contact the Student Hub via Live Chat from 5 January 2022. 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 Monday 27 December and Tuesday 28 December 2021, Monday 3 January and Tuesday 4 January 2022. 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 2022!
With very best wishes,
Student Support Services