Introduction

Winchester Students’ Union Advice Centre can be accessed by all current University of Winchester students. We aim to support students to make their own informed choices by offering free, impartial advice and information, on a range of matters.

We operate independently from the University of Winchester and specialise in supporting students with academic issues. We can also advise students on issues such as money worries, wellbeing or problems with housing. If we can’t help you, we will signpost you on to someone who can!

The Students’ Union Advisor & Wellbeing Coordinator works closely alongside the Vice President, Education & Welfare and other elected officers, as well as staff from the University, and local and national advice organisations, to ensure we can help make your time as a student as carefree as practicable.

The purpose of this document is to provide quick access to specific advice services and resources when the Advisor & Wellbeing Coordinator is either not available or is at the limit of their own knowledge.

It is also the intent for this document to be used when needed by wellbeing volunteers within the Students’ Union, such as Student Listeners and Wellbeing Reps, when signposting students to support.

 

 

 

The University of Winchester - Mental Wellbeing Team 01962 827 341 mentalwellbing@winchester.ac.uk	Sport in Mind https://www.sportinmind.org/Listing/Category/adult-programme Signup sheet https://app.upshot.org.uk/signup/68a5c5ab/ Yellow Door (Domestic and Sexual Violent Support) https://yellowdoor.org.uk/ 023 8063 6313 info@yellowdoor.org.uk First Steps ED (Support for Eating Disorders) https://firststepsed.co.uk/ 0300 1021 658 info@firststepsed.co.uk Inclusion (Support with addiction, crime, mental and sexual health) https://www.inclusion.org/ 01785 221 662 inclusionadmin@mpft.nhs.uk
The University of Winchester - Chaplaincy https://www.winchester.ac.uk/accommodation-and-winchester-life/student-life/spirituality/our-chaplaincies/
Winchester Youth Counselling https://winchesteryouthcounselling.org/ 01962 820444 admin@winchyc.org
The Olive Branch https://www.theolivebranch.org.uk/ 01962 842858 enquiries@theolivebranch.org.uk
ITalk https://www.italk.org.uk/ 023 8038 3920 info@italk.org.uk

 

The University of Winchester – Students and Money 01962 827008 studentsandmoney@winchester.ac.uk	National Debt Line https://www.nationaldebtline.org/ 0808 808 4000
UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs) https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/ +4420 7788 9214 communications@ukcisa.org.uk	Winchester Basics Bank (Food Bank) https://winchesterbasicsbank.co.uk/
Citizens Advice https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/ 0808 278 7861 advice@cawinchesterdistrict.org.uk	GamCare (Gambling Support) https://www.gamcare.org.uk/ 0808 8020 133 https://www.gamcare.org.uk/get-support/young-peoples-support-service/
Gov.UK (Benefits) https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits

 

 

The University of Winchester – Housing (Halls & University managed properties) https://www.winchester.ac.uk/accommodation-and-winchester-life/accommodation/ 01962 827 533 housing@winchester.ac.uk	Centre Point (Accommodation for Homeless Young People) https://centrepoint.org.uk/ 0808 800 0661 https://centrepoint.org.uk/make-an-enquiry/
Citizens Advice https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/ 0808 278 7861 advice@cawinchesterdistrict.org.uk	Winchester City Council https://www.winchester.gov.uk/ 01962840 222 customerservice@winchester.gov.uk Housing Options (Homelessness WCC) 01962 848 163 homelessness@winchester.gov.uk
Shelter https://www.shelter.org.uk/ 0808 800 4444	Housing Ombudsman Service https://www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk/ 0300 111 3000 info@housing-ombudsman.org.uk

Academic Appeals, and Misconduct / Integrity, need to be referred directly to the Advisor & Wellbeing Coordinator.

 

The University of Winchester – Academic Skills https://www.winchester.ac.uk/accommodation-and-winchester-life/student-life/student-support/academic-skills/ 01962827341 academicskills@winchester.ac.uk	The University of Winchester – SkillsNet Search SkillsNet on the Internet
The University of Winchester – SMART Buddies Studymentoring@winchester.ac.uk

 

 

 

 

Standard Operating Procedures for Winchester Students’ Union Staff & Volunteers.

Including part time bar and venue staff, Student Listeners and Wellbeing Reps.

Standard procedure when approached by a student who is seeking immediate support after failure to refer to the Advice Centre using the QR code on the Advice Centre door or on the front of this document.

• Inform the student that you are not an Advisor or a mental health professional, but that you can offer a listening ear.

• Ask the student which of the 4 categories outlined on the front page of the documents their circumstances fall into.

• Outline the support options available to the student (explanations have been used against options that may not be well known).

• Allow the student to explain their circumstances without reactively trying to solve the issue.

• Direct the student to the QR codes on the front of this document. Encourage them to review the information on the website or complete the Advice Enquiry Form for the Students’ Union Advisor & Wellbeing Coordinator to contact them. Please note this may be up to three working days.

• Ensure the student has a plan to either get home or to a friend’s house safely. If appropriate and/or possible, wait with them until they are ready to leave. If you feel it would be useful, you can provide the student with an Advice Centre Wellbeing Card, located in each office and back of house.