Wellbeing Support
Wellbeing Support
University life is an amazing opportunity to learn new things and discover yourself, but it can come with some challenges. You may be coming to university with a diagnosed mental health condition or develop difficulties with your mental health or wellbeing whilst you are studying.
Whether you are experiencing a short term issue with stress, a longer lasting complex issue, or if you are struggling but are not sure what to do then the Wellbeing Service is here to support you. You can access our free service at any time during your studies.
We have a range of free, professional, student-focused and confidential services which can work with you to better understand what you are experiencing and help you decide how you want to manage the impact on your studies
Wellbeing Support on Offer
Independent services and self help tools.
If you require specialist support or would like some help to access support by talking to a member of the Wellbeing Service first please complete the .
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All students have access to use the Sorted App for FREE. You can download on your phone and unlock all of the content by using our university specific codes.
Sorted is an audio-based app offering Positive Mental Training which allows students to switch to a positive state of mind, letting go of the negative emotional triggers which underpin distress, whilst simultaneously increasing concentration and focus.
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窪蹋勛圖厙 offers all students access to a free 24/7 online supportive service called Togetherall.
Togetherall is an anonymous space that you can visit when youre feeling down, need support or just need to talk. You can learn practical skills to help you feel better and tackle a variety of issues.
- Use peer networks to discuss your issues with people experiencing similar problems
- Use self-assessment tools to monitor your progress
- Join group courses and discussion on common issues like negative thinking and stress
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The service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and provides assistance to you on a wide range of issues such as legal, financial, medical or life matters.
Some of the support offered by the Student Assistance Programme can help you with:
- Stress and Anxiety
- Debt
- Education pressures
- Lifestyle addictions
- Relationships
- Legal
FREE 24 HOUR Confidential Helpline 0800 028 3766
The Helpline is staffed by qualified professionals, including mental health professionals. 窪蹋勛圖厙 students can speak to someone via the helpline at any time, day or night, 365 days a year.
IMPORTANT:
If you have medical concerns, please phone 111. If it is a medical emergency, please phone 999.
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If you think alcohol is having an unwanted, negative impact on your daily living you should get more information and support. There is lots of support available.
Alcohol Change UK
Alcohol Change UK host lots of useful and interactive tools such as (Free)
Alcohol Coaching
The university is committed to supporting students who identify alcohol as being an issue in their lives. If you meet the scoring criteria on the Alcohol Quiz you are able to have 3-4 free coaching sessions with counsellors from . Alcohol Change UK have expertise in alcohol use and misuse and support those who find that alcohol is causing a problem in their lives.
The sessions are free to you and completely confidential. Information about your alcohol intake will not be shared with the university (unless the situation is deemed critical to life). The coach will listen and support your first steps to making positive life changes and provide support on services where appropriate.
If you think you would benefit from coaching please complete the quiz below. If you meet the criteria you will be provided with information and contact details.
Alcohol Quiz
If you are unsure whether alcohol is an issue for you, if you have concerns with the amount of alcohol you consume or its impact on your daily life try the Alcohol Quiz. It is free, quick, confidential and easy to use. Please answer honestly as there will be information and support tailored to your score at the end.
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If you are a student entering Higher Education from care, you can be assured that the University will offer the necessary support and information.
This support is available whilst you are deciding what or where to study, continues through the university application process, and is on-going once you have started your course. Help and information are also available if you are someone advising a student from care. We are delighted that we have been awarded the Buttle UK Quality Mark in recognition of our commitment to care leavers in higher education.
As a student from care, or as someone advising a care leaver, your first point of contact is the named person for care leavers:
Carmarthen Campus:
Delyth Lewis
Tel: 01267 676947
Email: d.lewis@uwtsd.ac.ukLampeter Campus:
Lynda Lloyd-Davies
Tel: 01570 424722
Email: l.lloyd-davies@uwtsd.ac.ukSwansea Campus:
Sharon Alexander
Tel: 01792 481123
Email: sharon.alexander@uwtsd.ac.uk
Non-campus based students:
Delyth Lewis
Tel: 01267 676947
Email: d.lewis@uwtsd.ac.uk
They are based in Student Services, and can give you information about all aspects of the University’s support provision both prior to admission and whilst studying.At the 窪蹋勛圖厙, the following are provided:
- Pre-entry guidance from the Careers Adviser, and help if required during the university application and admissions process.
- Peer mentor support to help you settle in during the first few weeks of term.
- Targeted financial support for care leavers through the University’s bursary and financial contingency funds.
- An integrated Student Services department, offering easy access to financial support, accommodation, additional needs, counselling, and specialist academic support services.
- Regular meetings between the named contact and students from care to identify support requirements and to liaise with University departments and external agencies where appropriate (and with the students express permission).
- Help with planning and arranging your accommodation for both term and vacation time.
- A high degree of confidentiality for students from a care background in respect of service provision and specific arrangements.
You can declare on your UCAS application form that you have been in care, or your social services team can let us know that you are a care leaver. This means that we can make sure that support is in place from an early stage.
Some useful websites
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Myf.cymru is a mental health and wellbeing website resource which has been developed in response to the shortage of resources in the medium of Welsh.
Welsh speaking students across Wales and beyond have had input into the development of a wide range of informative resources.
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Social and Communication Support Group
- Do social norms confuse you?
- Do you sometimes speak bluntly, or act without thinking, then spend forever trying to resolve the consequences?
- Do you struggle to understand small-talk or jokes?
- Do crowded places fill you with dread?
- Do you feel lonely, isolated or unsupported?
- Are you chaotic and disorganised and feeling stressed?
SoCom offers ideas and activities which are aimed at encouraging a greater self-esteem, and the ability to understand and cope with issues related to social and communication difficulties, with potential for a new friend group and support network to develop. Participation in any activity is optional.
Session Themes
- Organisation and routine.
- Processing the world.
- Relationships and communication.
- Targeting assignments.
- Conflict resolution and psychology.
- Employability and change.
A library of resources will be available throughout the year for you to access even if you dont attend the group sessions.
Wellbeing and Support from the University Wellbeing team.
If you are struggling to manage the impact of your health on your studies you can access specialist support to help you develop self-management skills. This includes Counselling, Wellbeing Advice, Specialist Mental Health Mentoring, and support to access external services where needed.
We can work with you to agree any reasonable adjustments for your study, ensure these are communicated appropriately, and are working effectively. We can also support you to manage any risk associated with your health or your circumstances.
Once we have received your form, we will contact you via your e-mail to explain the next steps in the support process, including the type/s of support we will offer you. The purpose of this form is to ensure that we fully understand the issues you are experiencing and how these are impacting your studies. If you need any help accessing or completing this form, please ask the student HWB.
Safeguarding and harm reduction.
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Life-threatening emergency or crime in progress
Call 999 immediately or go to your nearest .
999 is the emergency number for police, ambulance, fire brigade, coastguard, cliff rescue, mountain rescue, cave rescue etc. Note the word EMERGENCY this number should only be used when urgent attendance by emergency services is needed e.g., if someone is seriously ill or injured, or if a crime is in progress. Calls to 999 are free and can be dialled from a locked mobile phone.
It can help to know the mnemonic LIONEL when contacting emergency services so you are able to give them all the information they need:
- L Location tell them where the emergency is and where they need to come to.
- I Incident tell them what has happened.
- O Other services do you need the ambulance and fire service?
- N Number of people how many are there involved?
- E Extent of injuries how badly are they hurt?
- L Location repeat again where they need to come to.
Non-emergency number for the police
You can use 101 when you want to contact the police but it isnt an emergency an immediate response is not required, for example, if your car or home has been broken into, or your property has been damaged. 101 can also be used to give the police information about a crime committed, or to contact the police with a general enquiry.
Non life-threatening emergencies
If your emergency is non life-threatening but is serious and requires help or attention, here are some places you can go to find help:
Mental health crisis
If you need help, you can contact an NHS urgent mental health helpline in your area. If you are in England, these can be found on the . If you are in Wales, you can call 111 and select option 2. The service is available for all ages, 24hrs a day, 7 days a week. It is free to call from a landline or a mobile, even if you have no credit left.
Emotional distress
Support for young men ages 15 to 35. Available seven days a week, between 5pm and midnight.
Suicide prevention advice and support. Available weekdays 10am to 10pm; weekends and bank holidays, 2pm to 10pm.
Whatever you are going through, you can call the Samaritans any time, from any phone, free on 116 123. Sometimes, writing things down can help you to understand your thoughts and feelings better, and so you can also email the Samaritans or write them a letter. -
If you think someone is in immediate danger or need help in an emergency, call the police on 999.
Any form of sexual assault, harassment or misconduct is never okay. It is important to remember that if this happens to you, it is not your fault.
窪蹋勛圖厙 is a safe place for all students to be heard, regardless of age, gender, race, or sexuality who have been impacted by sexual violence, harassment, or misconduct of any kind. The Wellbeing Team can offer confidential support and advice; from practical support to keep you safe and feeling safe, emotional support or help with managing your studies, we are here to support you at your pace whatever you decide. Our response covers all educational settings, including placements.
What is Sexual Misconduct?
Sexual misconduct is any kind of unwanted sexual activity, which does not always involve physical contact. It covers all forms of sexual violence, including:
- Non-consensual sexual touching;
- Penetration without consent;
- Sexual abuse (including image-based and online abuse);
- Sexual harassment (when someone carries out unwanted sexual behaviour towards another person that makes them feel humiliated, scared, upset, or offended. This also applies when someone carries out this behaviour with the intention of making another person feel that way);
- Stalking;
- Abusive or degrading remarks of a sexual nature;
- A range of other behaviours.
If your experience is not covered by the definitions above, or you are uncertain about the nature of your experience, please do not allow this to prevent you from seeking support. We are here to listen and will support you.
Telling a Member of the University Community about an Incident of Sexual Misconduct
At 窪蹋勛圖厙 we care about all members of our community, and we are here to listen to and support you.
There are two main routes in which you can tell us about an incident, and it is important to know the difference between them.
Disclosure
Disclosure is simply sharing your experience of sexual misconduct. A disclosure does not launch any kind of formal process, and it does not need to include specific detail.
You can disclose to anyone a friend, fellow student, teaching assistant, colleague, faculty member or a staff member (a disclosure to a staff member is a disclosure to the University). If there is a risk to you, or someone else, the disclosure may be shared with the wellbeing team via .
When you disclose to the University, we can make available services and support, as well as discuss whether counselling, access/referrals to medical services, and academic and/or other accommodations may be appropriate.
Remember: A disclosure does not lead to a report unless you want it to, or you or someone else is at immediate risk.
You can make a disclosure using our , speak to a trained first responder member of staff, or contact our Safeguarding lead.
Report
A report is a way of officially sharing a complaint and requesting for this to be considered and responded to by the University. We use the terminology of reporting party and reported party instead of victim and perpetrator. If the reported party is a student, measures can be taken to safeguard both parties whilst an incident is investigated. There is more information regarding this process below.
A report includes specific details of what happened, when, where and who was involved. It is up to you whether, when, how, and to which body you want to report an act of sexual misconduct. You may wish to seek independent legal advice as part of your decision-making process.
Reporting to the University
To initiate a formal process, such as a disciplinary process through the University, a report must be made.
You can report an incident of sexual misconduct to the University through academic office using this form: Report to the University. To make a formal report to the University on behalf of somebody else, please use our form.
Help and advice on completing the form is provided by 窪蹋勛圖厙 Students Union and can be found here: .
Formally reporting about an incident involving a member of the University Community may trigger an independent internal investigation or other process that can ultimately result in academic or workplace accommodations, suspension, expulsion, or other forms of disciplinary action.
In line with the , the University may impose interim measures to safeguard both the reporting and reported parties. These actions may include (but are not limited to):
- Changes to residence accommodations
- Changes to class, academic or work schedules
- Other measures provided for under the , collective agreements, employment agreements, or human resource policies depending on whether the respondent is a student, staff, or faculty member.
- Establish a behavioural agreement between the reporting and the reported party to manage any shared educational spaces.
Reporting to the Police
The police have specially trained officers who are very experienced in supporting survivors of sexual misconduct. To make a report to the police, you can walk into a , call 101, or 999 in an emergency.
Please note that:
- A report made to the police is separate from a report made to the University.
- Reporting to local police may trigger a police investigation and may result in criminal proceedings.
Reporting to Other Bodies
Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)
You can also report sexual misconduct via a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). These are independent of the University.
SARCs offer confidential, specialist support to anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted, or abused. They offer a number of services, including medical and forensic examinations, emergency contraception, testing for sexually transmitted infections and emotional support.
Access to an independent sexual violence advisor (ISVA) can also be arranged, as well as referrals to voluntary sector sexual violence support services and mental health support.
ISVAs provide a range of specialist support to victims/survivors which vary case by case and are dependent on individual needs. Typically, ISVAs provide impartial support and information to victims/survivors about their options, from reporting to the police to accessing other relevant services.
You do not have to speak to a doctor or the police to receive assistance from a SARC and your rape, sexual assault or abuse does not have to be recent for you to access help.
Should you later decide to speak to the police, fully trained staff at the SARC can support you, although the decision is entirely yours.
You can find the closest SARC to you by searching for your location on the .
Live Fear Free
You can contact , a service providing help and advice about violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and you can call the free helpline, chat online, text or email.
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South Wales Police force have highlighted a number of concerning trending issues and have asked us to pass on some facts and information to help you keep safe.
Facts and Advice about Alcohol: This factsheet identifies short and long term impacts of alcohol, recommended number of units of alcohol, what you can do to keep yourself safe. The university has a referral process for specialist support if drinking alcohol is an issue impacting your daily living.
Facts and Advice about County Lines: This factsheet explains what county lines is and where it is happening. It also explains the term Cuckooing and signs to look out for if you think someone is a victim.
Facts and Advice about Drugs: This factsheet explains the classification and potential penalties of various commonly used drugs. The makeup and effect of various drugs are discussed along with tips to reduce harm.
Advice about Radicalisation and Extremism: This factsheet helps you to understand the PREVENT strategy, learn the signs you could look out for if you think someone is being radicalised or involved in extremist behaviour. The university also has a PREVENT duty and a supporting policy.
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Find a selection of apps below to help with your safety when out and about. They are all free (or offer free trials) and are available on iOS and/or Android devices.
Hollie Guard turns your phone into a personal safety device. It can be used to protect yourself from accidents and violence, record evidence and alert emergency contacts of your whereabouts quickly and easily.
If youre in danger and cant reach your phone, a keyword or your panic scream will automatically trigger the app. A text message with your location will then be sent to your nominated contact. If you are using an android, the phone line becomes open so they can hear what is happening and get help to you quickly.
This app has a function called get me to my nearest safe place now panic button which immediately directs you to the nearest open safe place. If no safe place is located within a 15-minute walk, it will automatically offer to contact the non-emergency (101) number to get help over the phone. The apps have now been further developed to include voice activation, which means that those who may find using apps challenging or those with visual impairments can be directed to a safe place by talking to their phones.
bSafe is packed with features, including an SOS alarm, share your location, invite friends to walk how with and even set up a fake phone call if you find yourself in an awkward/dangerous situation.
Walksafe+ is a free map-based personal safety app which alerts you to surroundings whilst updating your emergency contacts with your location. The app shows recent crime figures in the areas you are walking through and alerts you to spots where crimes have been reported, helping to you decide a safe route. It will also send your location to an emergency contact if you do not arrive at your estimated time and allows you to alert them with a tap if you are feeling unsafe.
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Red Panic Button is an emergency safety app based around the very simple feature of pushing a red panic button. If you are feeling like you may be in danger, you can push the red button and your emergency contacts will be sent a text and an email of your GPS coordinates.
- (iOS only)
SafeUp is a free app as well as a community safety network, connecting women and girls with trained women in the area to help them feel safe. SafeUp links you with a female guardian to help give you support and guidance.
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窪蹋勛圖厙 is an inclusive environment in which working and learning should take place free from any form of bullying or harassment. The expectations we set out for our students can be found via the 窪蹋勛圖厙 Student Charter and the 窪蹋勛圖厙 Student Code of Conduct.
If you experience harassment or bullying, it is important to know that you are not to blame, and actions can be taken to make it stop.
The University views any incidence of bullying or harassment as a very serious matter. Should an allegation of bullying or harassment be substantiated, disciplinary action(s) can be taken against the alleged perpetrator(s), and this can include expulsion or dismissal. Information as to how you can either disclose or report incidents to the University can be found on Reporting to the University.
If your situation is affecting your wellbeing or studies, you can request support from the Wellbeing Team.
What is Bullying?
Whilst there is no legal definition, bullying is an unwanted, repetitive behaviour which is intended to hurt someone either emotionally or physically. Bullying typically involves a real or perceived power imbalance.
Examples of bullying can include (but are not limited to):
Physical bullying
Physical bullying occurs when someone physically hurts another person. This can be via spitting, tripping, pushing, kicking, punching, scratching and any other form of physical violence.
Sexualised bullying
Sexualised bullying refers to behaviours, physical or non-physical whereby sexuality is used as a weapon against another person. In encompasses behaviours in which someone is degraded or singled out using sexual language, gestures, or violence.
Family Lives offer comprehensive information about .
Social and emotional bullying
Social and emotional bullying can include purposely excluding an individual, encouraging other not to be friends with them, spreading gossip and rumours, humiliating someone in front of others or making someone the topic of jokes consistently.
Verbal bullying
Also referred to as name-calling, this is one of the most common forms of bullying and can include teasing, making derogatory remarks about someones appearance, taunting, making threats and/or using insults to humiliate another person.
Cyberbullying
This form of bullying takes place online via social networking sites, messaging apps, chat rooms and gaming sites. It can take the form of fake profiles, sharing personal information without consent, stalking, harassment, trolling, spreading fake rumours and posting negative comments intended to cause distress.
What is Harassment?
Harassment is behaviour which causes alarm, upset or distress. It may be threating in nature.
Examples of harassing behaviour include (but are not limited to):
- Being followed by another person, or another person repeatedly turning up unexpectedly
- Threats
- Unwanted communication, such as phone calls, text messages, emails, unsolicited visits etc.
In some instances, harassment may be targeted at a persons specific characteristics. Many of these characteristics are protected by UK and so harassment targeted at these characteristics can be a criminal offence.
Protected characteristics are:
- Sexual orientation
- Sex
- Age
- Disability
- Marriage and civil partnership
- Gender reassignment
- Being pregnant or on maternity leave
- Religion or belief
- Race, including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin
Advice and Support
All individuals have the right to ask any member of the University community, whether that be student or staff members, to stop behaving in a manner that is upsetting to them. We understand, however that this is not always possible. Students can act using either the informal and/or formal procedures outlined in our Reporting to the University pages.
You can also contact our Wellbeing Team using a if it is for you, or a if you are reporting for somebody else.
Further Resources
- expert support and advice on all aspects of bullying and harassment.
- offer examples of harassment and advice on your legal rights if you experience harassment.
- : offer advice and guidance on bullying at university.
- : The UKs only charitable organisation addressing adult bullying and child bullying.
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Socialising can play a big part in student life. Whilst its important to have fun and make new friends when you are out, its just as important to stay safe.
Here are some tips to ensure you have a great but safe night out.
Eat before (and during) consumption of alcohol
If your stomach is empty when you start drinking, alcohol enters your bloodstream much faster. This can result in you feeling the effects of alcohol quickly, making it more difficult to control your drinking. Doing something as simple as eating a meal before you go out and keeping topped up with snacks whilst you are out will help you stay in control and feeling fresh the next day.
Look after/charge your phone
From using maps to find out where you are, to staying in contact with your friends or calling a taxi to get home, your phone is your essential friend on a night out. Make sure it is fully charged when you leave and look after it when you are out.
Make sure you know how to get home
Plan your night out a big part of this planning is knowing how you are getting home safely.
Buses:
Check out the local bus routes you can find registered local bus services using gov.uks tool. Download the local bus service providers app so you can have information at your fingertips. For example, the allows you to buy and store tickets on your phone, track your bus live on a map and tells you when the next bus is arriving if you miss one. First Bus covers much (but not all) regions of the UK so do check your local provider before travelling.
Taxis:
There are two main types of taxis in the UK hackney carriages and private hire.
Hackney carriages (sometimes referred to ask black taxis although they may be a different colour in your city they are blue in Bristol, for example) can be approached at taxi ranks (youll see the word TAXIS) painted on the road surface. You can also flag hackney carriages down in the street by standing in a suitable place beside the road and holding out your hand. There will be an orange taxi sign above the windscreen the taxi is only available if this is lit up.
Private hire taxis are also known as minicabs. Private hire drivers can only pick you up if you have booked in advance (via phone, app, in person or online). A private hire licence plate should be clearly visible on the car. It is not safe to get into a minicab that has not been booked in advance dont flag down a private hire taxi on the street, even if it has a visible licence plate and the driver looks respectable.
Dont wait for your taxi alone, make sure your friends wait for you, and dont allow a drunk friend to travel alone.
See the website for more helpful advice on how to get a safe taxi home in the UK.
Walking home:
We do not recommend going home on foot, even if it is only a short walk. However, if the occasion arose in which this was unavoidable, here are some steps you can take to ensure you arrive safely:
- Never walk alone;
- Stick to open, brightly lit areas and walk with purpose;
- Walk on the oncoming traffic side of the pavement, so you are fully aware if a car stops near you;
- Carry a personal attack alarm for emergencies.
Steer clear of rivers
Alcohol can seriously impede your ability to survive in water. The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) aim to drive down the rate of alcohol-related fatalities in what are usually completely avoidable tragic incidents. They offer the following advice:
- Dont walk home near water after a night out you might fall in;
- Make sure your friends get home safely after a night out dont let them walk by the water;
- Cold water kills and can take the life of even the strongest swimmer;
- Dont enter the water after you have been drinking alcohol seriously impacts your ability to get out;
- Watch the video on YouTube.
For more information and free digital resources, you can visit the .
Drink non-alcoholic drinks too
Drinking enough water is essential for staying hydrated while drinking alcohol. Alcohol dehydrates the body, so its important to drink water or other non-alcoholic beverages in between alcoholic drinks. There are lots of great resources online for making your own , and a number of venues serve mocktails as a refreshing and fun alternative to alcohol.
Watch your drink and dont spike others
Drink spiking is when someone outs alcohol or drugs into another persons drink without their consent or knowledge. To avoid drink spiking:
- Always buy your own drink and watch it being poured.
- Dont accept drinks from strangers.
- Never leave your drink unattended while you dance, socialise or go to the toilet.
- Dont drink or taste anyone elses drink.
- Throw your drink away if you think it tastes strange or different.
What to do if you think youve been spiked:
- If you start to feel strange, sick or drunk when you know that you couldnt be drunk, get help from a trusted friend or the venue management.
- If you think you have been spiked, ask a trusted friend to get you out of the venue or party as soon as possible and either take you home or to hospital if very unwell. You could also call a friend, partner or relative and ask them to pick you up.
- If you feel unsafe, vulnerable or threatened you can ask for help by approaching venue staff and asking for Angela. This coded phrase indicates you need help and a trained member of staff will assist and support you. More information can be found on the .
- When you are safely home, ask someone you trust to stay with you until the effects of the drug/alcohol wear off. This may take several hours.
- Do not hesitate to seek medical help if you need it. It is always better to get checked out.
- Tell the police what has happened as soon as you can. This can be scary but they are there to help you and will listen. Call 999 (in an emergency) or 101 the police need to know as much as possible about spiking so they can prevent it happening in the future.
For more help and advice on drink spiking, visit .
Stick together and make sure you all get home safe
Look after your friends, stay together and make arrangements for everyone to get home. Make it normal practice for you to check in with each other when you get in.
Download safety apps
There are a number of personal safety apps available which can help to keep you safe. Most are free (or offer free trials) and can be downloaded onto most handsets.
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At 窪蹋勛圖厙 we care about your online safety and want to make sure that you are aware how to stay safe online, how to tell if there may be an issue, and what you can do to address any issues.
窪蹋勛圖厙 employ a zero-tolerance approach to cyberbullying and any student experiencing cyberbullying will receive our full support.
What is Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying refers to the use of digital technologies (including, but not limited to social networks, gaming sites, chat rooms and messaging apps) where the intention is to harass, abuse, offend, threaten, or humiliate another person.
Examples may include:
- Purposefully being excluded from online group chats
- Hurtful comments online or on your mobile
- Comments or replies on your social media posts/social media posts about you
- Sending offensive pictures via messaging apps
- The creation of fake online profiles with the intent to defame you
- Embarrassing or harmful photographs being posted online without your consent
- Rumours/lies about you on a website, social media platform or messaging app
- Offensive voice communication or chat during an online game.
What should I do if I think I am being cyberbullied?
It is important to remember that any form of bullying is not your fault and there are ways you can be supported.
You may want to contact the Wellbeing Team using a if it is for you, or a if it is on behalf of another student.
You may wish to tell the University about your experience. Details as to how to do this on Reporting to the University.
Staying Safe Online
We are all responsible for keeping ourselves and others safe online. Here are a few practical tips:
- Use privacy settings keep online profiles closed to everyone but friends and family.
- Think before you post think about what you say and what impact this may have. As a general rule, dont post anything in the public domain that you wouldnt be willing to say personally to another person.
- Never post comments online that are abusive or might cause offence or harm to others.
- Be mindful that everything you post online creates a digital footprint that friends, family and prospective employers may access at any point.
- Report cyberbullying to internet service providers (ISPs). Cyberbullying can violate the terms and conditions set out by ISPs .
- Keep data safe by using unusual passwords. Use a combination of upper/lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.
- Never give out personal information such as banking information, addresses, telephone numbers or any other form of identification unless you are certain that the request is from a trusted source.
- Sign out of public/shared computers.
- Threats of violence, child pornography, sending explicit messages or photographs without consent, taking a photograph or a video in a place where someone would expect privacy, hate crime, stalking, identity theft and impersonation are criminal offences. Contact the police via 101 or 999 if it is an emergency.
Advice and Support
- : Nationally recognised advice centre for cyberbullying and online harassment.
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Addiction is a common problem, but help and support is available.
Addiction is defined as not having control over doing, taking or using something to the point whereby it could be harmful. It is possible to become addicted to just about anything, although the most common addictions are gambling, drugs, smoking and alcohol.
窪蹋勛圖厙 takes a non-judgmental approach to supporting our students. If you are worried about an addiction, you can access help from the university by completing a if it is for you, or a if it is for someone else.
What causes addictions?
There are many reasons why addictions begin. Drugs, nicotine and alcohol can impact the way you feel both physically and mentally. These feelings can be enjoyable and because of this, a strong urge to use the substances again develops. Gambling can affect a part of the brain that releases a type of neurotransmitter called dopamine. Dopamine is a feel good chemical that creates feelings of pleasure and reward. This mental high after a win can create a strong urge to try again and recreate those pleasurable feelings. This can develop into a habit that becomes very hard to stop.
How addictions can impact you
The strain of managing an addiction can significantly damage your work life and relationships. Substance abuse can have serious physical and psychological effects.
There is some research suggestive of addictions having a genetic basis, although environmental factors, such as being around others with addictions can also increase this risk.
Substance misuse can be a way of blocking out trauma, emotional distress or difficult issues.
Getting help for addictions
It is important to remember that addiction is a treatable condition. Whatever the addiction, there are lots of ways in which you can seek help and support. You can speak to your GP for advice, or get in touch with an organisation that specialises in helping people with addictions.
There are a number of online directories run by the NHS where you can find addiction treatment services in your area:
To speak to someone anonymously about any form of addiction, you can call the Samaritans free on 116 123.
Advice and Support
Barod aims to support anyone who is ready for change (Barod is the Welsh word for ready) and to make a difference to their own lives or the lives of others. Barod provides free and confidential support and guidance to anyone who is affected by drug or alcohol use, either their own or someone elses.
Barod provides phone and online support and is open Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm and Friday 9am-4:30pm, excluding bank holidays. They can be contacted by phone free on 0808 808 2234. If you need help outside these times, you can contact free on 0808 808 2234 or text DAN to 81066
GamCare offers help and support to anyone affected by gambling. You can call them free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0808 8020 133, live chat with an advisor, or Whatsapp chat with an advisor on 020 3031 8881.
- NHS Resources
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We understand that there are students who work in the sex industry; recent research undertaken by Swansea University found that five per cent of students were, or had been involved in the sex industry in some capacity, with a further twenty per cent stating they had considered working in the sex industry.
If you are a student sex worker seeking support, 窪蹋勛圖厙 provides a safe, private and non-judgemental space for you to talk openly about your situation, and to guide you through the types of support available to you both on and off campus. We can signpost you to specialist organisations that work with sex workers, as well as discuss any issues that may be impacting your wellbeing or studies. You can request support using our if it is for you, or a if it is for someone else.
What is sex work?
Sex work is an umbrella term that incorporates anything that involves the direct exchange of sexual services for goods or money. This can take the form of both direct physical contact and indirect sexual stimulation. Examples of sex work include (but are not limited to):
- Being a sugar baby
- Internet and webcam services
- Glamour modelling
- Escorting
- Selling sex
- Dancing in strip clubs
- Acting in the porn industry
Sex work and the law
Laws around sex work in the UK are complex and can be confusing as it is legal to be a sex worker, but many associated activities are not legal. Illegal activities include soliciting on the street, managing a brothel or sharing premises with another sex worker.
Further details around the legalities of sex work can be found in the booklet .
Advice and Support
A sex worker led collective which campaigns for the rights and safety of sex workers in the UK.
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A national safety and reporting organisation providing greater access to justice and protection for sex workers. Sex workers are able to send reports about dangerous clients, which are sent to other sex workers, as well as front-line support projects across the UK.
A network of sex workers both on the streets and indoors campaigning for safety and decriminalisation.
Offers support to adults who are experiencing intimate image abuse otherwise known as revenge porn.
A free therapy and support service for people working in the online adult industry.
Free and confidential advice for men, trans, women, and gender non-binary individuals working in the sex or adult entertainment industry.
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Cybercrime is a type of crime involving a computer or computer network. The computer may have been used in committing the crime, or it may be the target. Cybercrime may harm someones security or finances.
South Wales Police have asked us to share these videos with you so you can protect yourself from cybercrime.
Safeguarding
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It’s important to look after your health when moving away from home for the first time. This includes registering with a new GP and finding your local sexual health service.
Things to consider before arrival:
1. Register with a local GP
If, like most students, you spend more weeks of the year at your university address than your family’s address, you need to register with a GP near your university as soon as possible. You can choose to register with any local GP.
2. Register with a dentist
Dental problems cannot be dealt with by doctors, so make sure you register with a local dentist. Not all treatment is free, even under the NHS. You may be able to apply for help with health costs, including prescriptions and dental care.
3. Check your vaccinations
Students are now routinely offered a vaccination to prevent meningitis. The MenACWY vaccine protects against 4 different causes of meningitis and septicaemia: meningococcal (Men) A, C, W and Y diseases. It replaces the separate Hib/MenC vaccine.But if you’re a student going away to university or college for the first time, contact the GP you’re registered with to ask for the MenACWY vaccine, ideally before the start of the academic year.
This is because you’ll be at particularly high risk in the first weeks of term, when you’re likely to come into contact with many new people. Universities and colleges also advise students to be immunised against mumps before starting their studies. The MMR vaccine (for mumps, measles and rubella) is part of the routine NHS childhood immunisation schedule. This means most young people who’ve grown up in England will have had 2 doses of it in childhood.
If you’re not sure you’ve had 2 doses of the MMR vaccination, ask a GP for a catch-up vaccination. Get an annual flu vaccination if you have asthma and take inhaled steroids. You should also get a flu vaccination if you have a serious long-term condition such as kidney disease.
4. Get contraception
Even if you do not plan to be sexually active while studying, it’s good to be prepared. Contraception and condoms are free for everyone from any GP it does not have to be your own or family planning clinic. Find your local sexual health service
5. Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)
As a higher education student living in England and Wales, you can apply for a Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) if you have a:
繚&紳莉莽梯;餃勳莽硃莉勳梭勳喧聆
繚 long-term health condition
繚 mental health condition 繚 specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia
唬硃娶鳥硃娶喧堯梗紳&紳莉莽梯;勞捩s
Furnace House Surgery, St. Andrews Road, Carmarthen, SA31 1EX Telephone: 01267 236616
Morfa Lane Surgery, Carmarthen, SA31 3AX Telephone: 01267 234774
St Peter’s Surgery, Carmarthen, SA31 1AH Telephone: 01267 236241
Lampeter GP
Bro Pedr Surgery, Taliesin Court, Lampeter, SA48 7AA Telephone: 01570 422665
Swansea GP
Kingsway Surgery, 37 The Kingsway, Swansea, SA1 5LF
01792 650716
SA1 Medical Centre- Langdon Road, Swansea Waterfront, Swansea. SA1 8QY
Telephone: 01792 481444
Website:
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A period is a normal part of the menstrual cycle where a person bleeds from the vagina for a number of days every month. This starts in puberty and occurs through much of adulthood. The amount and number of days this occurs for each month varies between individuals.
Some people experience physical and emotional changes relating to their menstrual cycle, known as premenstrual syndrome PMS or premenstrual tension PMT.
There are lots of period products available to suit the needs and preferences of the individual including pads, tampons, menstrual cups, reusable pads and underwear. You can find out more information on the and on the .
Period Friendly
Using initial project funding from HEFCW, the university is committed to becoming more period friendly; that includes raising awareness around menstruation and period products to reduce stigma and taboo.
Period Dignity
Period Dignity refers to the access to and availability of products to support those who menstruate.
If you find yourself in need of products whilst on the university campus, you will be able to find some disposable pads and tampons in various toilets and reception areas.
Period Poverty
Period poverty is when an individual doesnt have period products because they cannot afford them.
surveyed 1000 14-21 year olds in the UK in 2017 and found 1 in 10 of those surveyed have been unable to afford period products. Of those surveyed, 14% had to ask to borrow period products from a friend due to affordability, 12% improvised period wear due to affordability issues.
Hardship Fund
As a University, we are committed to ensuring that our students have access to period products during times of hardship. We are offering students who have accessed the hardship fund the opportunity to order reusable products to a chosen address. This will ensure that they are not struggling to purchase period products each month and therefore ensuring that students arent experiencing period poverty.
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Important information about Meningitis and Measles
窪蹋勛圖厙 is concerned about the health and wellbeing of our students. There has been a rise in Meningitis and Measles cases amongst UK University students. Please take the time to read through the information on the student hwb carefully to understand what the diseases are, the symptoms and how to get help if needed.
It is important to protect yourself against the potentially life-threatening disease. Many students will have had the vaccine as children. You can check with your GP if you are unsure whether you have been vaccinated or not.