Single Comprehensive Source of Information
Supporting you
<p dir="ltr">Our Student Support team offers a team of specialist advisors who can provide information and guidance in a variety of areas, including finance and funding, disability support, counselling, health and wellbeing - and safety.</p>
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<p dir="ltr">A range of student support services are available, situated on the centre build first floor, or online, comprising:</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Counselling service</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Management and coordination of inclusive learning support for students with learning difficulties or disabilities including mental health issues</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Health and Wellbeing services, advice, support and referral.</p></li></ul>
<p dir="ltr">These services will continue to offer online support in the event of campus restrictions/lockdown - just email <a href="mailto:studentsupport@aup.ac.uk"><strong>studentsupport@aup.ac.uk</strong></a></p>
<p dir="ltr">One of the primary functions of Student Support is to provide initial support for students in distress, making referral where appropriate to services within the University or externally, and otherwise providing information and support on self-help strategies. Student Support can be contacted by telephone on 01752 203434 / 203418, internal phone number 269 or email <a href="mailto:studentsupport@aup.ac.uk"><strong>studentsupport@aup.ac.uk</strong></a></p>
<p dir="ltr">If you are struggling to cope for any reason please seek help from Student Support and if you are in distress or otherwise needing urgent support you will be seen immediately, with subsequent access to ongoing counselling or other professional services as appropriate. Student Support provides impartial advice on a range of personal issues, with other health and wellbeing services, which you can see below.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Student Counselling Service is available to offer support to students who may be experiencing distress or difficulties with their study or personal lives. The service is confidential, and seeks to promote students’ well-being, independence, resourcefulness, personal development and capacity to benefit from the opportunities offered at the University.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The counselling rooms are located in the main Student Support block. You can contact a counsellor by email <a href="mailto:counselling@aup.ac.uk">counselling@aup.ac.uk</a> or by completing a confidential request form and posting this in the secure letterbox outside the counselling office.</p>
<p dir="ltr">If you are concerned about how to make an appointment the Student Support staff can help or alternatively your tutor can also assist.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The University is committed to ensuring that all students have reasonable access to all elements of their education during their studies.</p>
<p dir="ltr">While course teams are responsible for inclusive learning, eligible students can claim for additional support funded by Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) - supported by Student Support. If you need help due to a learning difficulty or a disability including mental health issues all you need to do is come to Student Support and the staff will be able to advise you on who to contact and eligibility.</p>
<p dir="ltr">You may be eligible for dyslexia screening if you have already disclosed a high level of needs to study or feel it is required. If you can provide evidence of a dyslexia diagnosis from previous education you may be fast tracked for a full assessment.</p>
<p dir="ltr">For specialist eye assessments including, for example, scotopic sensitivity or Irlen Syndrome, you may be directed to the University of Plymouth’s Centre for Eyecare Excellence (CEE) in nearby Gibbon Street. Again, Student Support can support you with this.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Help is offered to you in the following:</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">alternative approaches to health and wellbeing</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">information and advice for holistic health providers in Plymouth</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">advice on registering with you GP</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">mindfulness</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">managing stress and anxiety</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">coping with student life</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">overcoming sleep problems</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">understanding and developing strategies to help with depression</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">being in tune with and managing your emotions</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">dealing with panic attacks</p></li></ul>
<p dir="ltr">Many of you will obtain part-time jobs to help with your finances, particularly in these times of high inflation and increasing price rises. Please remember when considering what jobs to apply for, that being over-tired is one of the chief reasons that students are not able to cope with their coursework. Try to limit your work to one or two evenings a week or at weekends.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Any of the staff in Student Support can deal with safeguarding concerns. If at any point you feel you need to talk to someone about any issues around being safe either inside or outside University or if you are suffering from emotional distress you should report to the Wellbeing Team in Student Support or you can self-refer to a Counsellor. Contact details for Student Support are as follows:</p>
<p dir="ltr">Telephone: 01752 203423</p>
<p dir="ltr">Email: <a href="mailto:studentsupport@aup.ac.uk">studentsupport@aup.ac.uk</a> </p>
<p>The <a href="https://sites.google.com/aup.ac.uk/student-support/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Student Support section of the Student Portal</a> contains lots of information and resources and the link to Student Support Procedure - Student Concern provides further guidance.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The University has recently developed closer links with the University of Plymouth Neighbourhood Beat Manager and Team - a PC (Kristy) who comes into our campus for 'coffee with cops'. Kristy is very friendly and always happy to have a chat with students about any issues they don't feel comfortable with reporting formally. They have developed for us the Student Safety Guide which will be updated when the new version is complete. </p>
<p dir="ltr">While there is no pressure on anyone to contact the police, the SVLO and Head of Student Support now have a personal contact who is a female PC who is a Sexual Offences Liaison Officer (SOLO) (Kerry) and she can be contacted by us for advice if you wish - with no obligation to provide the name of the perpetrator or to take the case forward.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Devon and Cornwall Police have also produced a Student Safety Guide which can be downloaded below.</p>
<p dir="ltr">However, if you feel that you have been bullied or harassed or a victim of sexual violence or misconduct it is crucial that you know you are able to disclose it. <strong>PLEASE LET SOMEONE KNOW IF YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE DOING SO!</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Support is available from the Students’ Union, lecturers, tutors, other staff members, managers or a member of Student Support, where you can report any concerns. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Or <a href="https://sites.google.com/d/15-SnSlsM3xTOTk9BlQaUOu8aTNMXffkW/p/1zM0r6ce_SlMWtvI4CxH8wtKmWDsS3Dn0/edit" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">report either formally or informally</a></p>
<p dir="ltr">The following is a short video clip based on a recent case in Plymouth dealt with by DSgt Chris Kinski and his dedicated RaSSO team (Rape and Serious Sexual Offences) at Charles Cross. The predator has received an 18 year prison term for kidnap and rape. A poignant statement from the Sergeant was for victims of rape and serious sexual assault; “You will be believed.”</p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZjD3j83njw" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A man who kidnapped and raped a woman after pretending to be a taxi driver has been jailed - YouTube</a></p>
<p dir="ltr">We have a Sexual Violence Liaison Officer (SVLO) in the Tavistock Place campus. The role of the Sexual Violence Liaison Officer (SVLO) is as follows.<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">1. We understand that seeking advice and support after an incident of sexual violence can be a very difficult and personal decision. This is why we have established a specialised support service for students who have experienced sexual violence. We currently have a qualified Sexual Violence Liaison Officer (SVLO) to support students who have experienced sexual harassment, sexual violence and/or relationship abuse, either recently or in the past (including before university). The SVLO treats each case with sensitivity and respect.</p>
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<p dir="ltr">2. The SVLO will listen empathically without judgement. They will be able to talk to you about the support available and discuss reporting options. The SVLO can also liaise with external organisations and other university staff/services on your behalf.</p>
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<p dir="ltr">3. If you are not sure what has happened to you, or how it might be viewed, it can be very helpful to access the service and talk to the SVLO. You can also access support even if it wasn’t you that was directly affected.</p>
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<p dir="ltr">4. The current SVLO is male but we hope to have a female staff member trained in the future. If you would prefer to be supported by a female the SVLO can liaise with Student Support and may be able to provide support with assistance from a female member of that department. Students can choose how to communicate with the SVLO, whether by email, phone, video call, or face-to-face appointment. </p>
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<p dir="ltr">5. The SVLO service is confidential.</p>
<p dir="ltr">6. You can ask to see the SVLO through the formal reporting or informally via a staff member you may have disclosed through or through Student Support.</p>
<p dir="ltr">7. This information is also available at Appendix 7 of our <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZkD9zzXnv0NhuQoYV3HKXvRXOlUmXXht/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harassment & Sexual Misconduct Policy.</a></p>
<p dir="ltr">1. Across the UK there are Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs). These are specialist medical and forensic services for anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted. </p>
<p dir="ltr">2. The Plymouth SARC is in relatively new premises that provide improved 24 hour access to counselling and services including; better car parking, a state of the art adult forensic facility, as well as access to support staff and medical services at any time of the day or night. This can be with or without the need for police involvement.</p>
<p dir="ltr">3. The Plymouth SARC is located at <a href="https://sarchelp.co.uk/plymouth-sarc/how-to-find-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hawthorne House</a>, a safe location in Estover. Plymouth residents can access the full range of SARC services by calling 0300 3034626 or by using the quick <a href="https://sarchelp.co.uk/get-help/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">online referral form</a>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">4. All of the SARC staff are specially trained to support anyone who experienced rape or sexual assault. This could have been recently or in the past. You will always be believed and treated with the utmost dignity and respect.</p>
<p dir="ltr">5. The Plymouth SARC provides support and services to people identifying as any gender and of any age and the services they offer include:</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://sarchelp.co.uk/information-sexual-assault/what-are-crisis-workers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Crisis worker</a> support for victims</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Forensic medical facilities and examination</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://sarchelp.co.uk/information-sexual-assault/sexual-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sexual health</a> and contraception information and referral services. <a href="https://yourship.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Advice on sexual health in Plymouth.</a></p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Follow-up emotional and practical support from an independent advisor (<a href="https://sarchelp.co.uk/information-sexual-assault/what-is-an-isva/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ISVA</a>)</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Information about reporting to the police or sharing information anonymously</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Information and referral to other support services in the area</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Advice about personal safety</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Referral to their counsellor</p></li></ul>
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<p dir="ltr">6. There are also Devon & Cornwall SARCs in <a href="https://sarchelp.co.uk/exeter-sarc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Exeter</a> and <a href="https://sarchelp.co.uk/truro-sarc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Truro</a>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">7. To find a SARC in another region, <a href="https://rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help/sexual-assault-referral-centres-sarcs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">visit the Rape Crisis website</a> - this also provides information on forensic medical examinations.</p>
<p dir="ltr">8. To see a video tour and hear from a Crisis Worker, visit this webpage:<a href="https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/plymouths-new-sexual-assault-referral-2515731?utm_source=sharebar&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=sharebar" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Plymouth's new SARC</a> (Plymouth Live, 6 Feb 19).</p>
<p dir="ltr">9. This information and more is available at Appendix 8 of our <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZkD9zzXnv0NhuQoYV3HKXvRXOlUmXXht/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harassment & Sexual Misconduct Policy.</a></p>
<p dir="ltr">Here we provide a quick overview of some of the facilities and resources available external to Arts University Plymouth.<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>External support services and charities</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong><a href="https://plymouthstudenthealth.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The University of Plymouth Medical Centre</a></strong> - has professionals available to support students, more information (including registration).</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong><a href="https://www.firstlight.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">First Light</a></strong> - independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) for anyone wanting to access support following domestic abuse or sexual violence. (There may be a waiting list for services) / 03458 121212</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong><a href="https://www.womensaid.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Women’s Aid</a></strong> - support for female victims/survivors of domestic abuse<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong><a href="https://www.intercomtrust.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LGBTQ+ Helpline (The Intercom Trust)</a></strong> for advocacy and support - Supporting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans+ communities since 1997. Visit their website or call 0800 612 6010.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong><a href="http://www.thehavens.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Havens</a></strong> - for relatives and friends of someone who has been sexually assaulted.<br /><br /><strong>NSPCC</strong> - Worried about a child contact our trained helpline for 24/7 advice and support, call 0808 800 500 or email <a href="mailto:help@nspcc.org.uk">help@nspcc.org.uk</a> </p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong><a href="https://www.itdoesmatter.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">It does matter</a> </strong>- Standing Together Against Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and Non-Contact Sexual Offences</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.notaloneplymouth.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a><strong><a href="https://www.notaloneplymouth.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Not alone</a></strong> - provides support and advice for transgender and non-binary people in Plymouth. It has been set up to provide a safe place for sharing thoughts and feelings for those who need it.<br /><br /></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Support for male & non-binary victims/survivors</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong><a href="https://www.survivorsuk.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Survivors UK</a></strong> - a charity dedicated to supporting male and non-binary survivors of sexual abuse and rape. Use the chat on their website or text 020 3322 1860</p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong><a href="https://operationemotion.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Operation Emotion</a></strong> - a Plymouth based charity dedicated to supporting male survivors of sexual abuse. Helpline: 07539 810096<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Support for victims of domestic abuse - all</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong><a href="https://www.sanctuary-supported-living.co.uk/findservices/domestic-abuse/devon/plymouth-domestic-abuse-services-pdas" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plymouth Domestic Abuse Service</a></strong><br /></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong><a href="https://www.simplycounselling.org/domestic-abuse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Simply Counselling</a></strong> - for domestic abuse</p>
<p>If you are a reported or reporting student it is likely that your academic studies may be affected. <br /> There are procedures in place to support students whose studies may have been interrupted such as Extenuating Circumstances. Your course leader should be your initial point of contact and Student Support, the SVLO and the Registry can also provide advice.</p>