Winter Closure 2024

As 2024 is coming to an end, we wanted to share with you the support services that will be available over the winter break. Many of the university’s services will have limited availability between Tuesday 24^th December until Thursday 2^nd January, these include:

 

• Wellbeing Services: who will be closed during this break period. However, if you are planning on making a financial hardship application via blackbullion.com you can still submit your application. These will not be being to be processed again until Thursday 2^nd January and can take a minimum of 20 working days. There are also lots of resources in relation to mental health and disability support available on the Wellbeing Portal.
• Careers Services: the inbox will not be monitored but you can still try the Arden Careers chat bot, which can give information on finding and applying for jobs, career planning and futures courses.
• Learning Success Hub: will be closed over this period but you can still access all their online resources through the Learning Success Hub. If you need assistance, we could recommend you look through the services range of guidance on their getting started and support pages.

 

We hope that you find this time to take a well-deserved break, but we understand that you might choose to use this period to study, work or volunteer. If this is the case, then please ensure you still take time to reflect on your 2024 and find time to rest.

Your Student Hub is also fully equipped with everything you might need over the break, including quick access links to your main online platforms, including, iLearn, Careers, the Learning Success Hub, Wellbeing Portal, and Your Students’ Association.

Below we have also signposted where you can find support you might need, as well as external opportunities for you to consider.

Help and support

Help in a crisis

In an emergency, please contact 999 or present to A&E if appropriate. You can also contact 111 for non-urgent medical advice or find a GP near you.

 

Other sources of help

If you require less urgent support in relation to your mental health, there are a number of services that can help.

• Student Assistance Programme: you can contact the service via phone, LiveChat, SMS, WhatsApp or through the Digital Wellbeing Platform (using your student email address and organisation code: Arden)

UK: 08000318227

International: 00353 1 518 0277

WhatsApp / SMS: Test “Hi” to +44 7418 360 780

 

• Samaritans: are open 24/7 for anyone who needs to talk.

Helpline: 116 123

Email: jo@samaritans.org

Website: samaritans.org

Resource: Information on coping at Christmas

 

• Shout: provide confidential 24/7 text service offering support if you’re in crisis and need immediate help.

Text: "Shout" to 85258

Website: giveusashout.org

Resource: feeling less alone over the festive season

 

• Stand Alone: is a charity supporting adults who are estranged (not in contact) from their family.

Website: standalone.org.uk

Resource: Festive guide to the Christmas period

 

• CALM: Provides a helpline and online chat, as well as information and support, for anyone affected by suicide or suicidal thoughts. The helpline and webchat are open from 5pm to midnight every day.

Helpline: 0800 58 58 58

Website: thecalmzone.net

Resource: feeling anxious at Christmas

 

Get support

You can also get non-medical support and advice from the following organisations:

• Foodbanks: We understand that many agencies that provide foodbank referrals will be closed over the winter break. If you need a food voucher you may be able to contact a local foodbank directly. 

 

• MoneyHelper: Provides free and impartial money advice. The helpline is open weekdays 8am to 6pm.

Helpline: 0800 138 7777

Website: moneyhelper.org.uk

 

• LGBT Foundation: Provides advice, support and information for people identifying as LGBTQ+. The helpline is open weekdays 9am to 9pm and weekends 10am to 5:30pm.

Helpline: 0345 3 30 30 30

Website: lgbt.foundation

 

• Citizens Advice: Provides a wide range of services, online or on the phone. The helpline is open weekdays 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Helpline: 0800 144 8848

Website: Contact Us - Citizens Advice

 

Seasonal Volunteering

The seasonal period is a time to giving as well as receiving. Support charities across the country tend to get busier during the festive period and often run seasonal volunteering opportunities. These are great opportunities for you to give some of your time to support a cause, make connections and give back to your local communities.  

Here are some that we know about: 

• Why not volunteer for Crisis at Christmas?

• You could get involved in Christmas volunteering with The Salvation Army. 

• Find volunteering opportunities with Trussell Trust. 

• You can also volunteer with older people through AgeUK.  

These are just a few organisations that run specific volunteering campaigns over the festive period but there will be loads of charities near you that would appreciate your support. We would recommend searching charities near you if you want to time some of your time.