Useful Services
UPDATED as of 23rd August 2022
This page now includes some well-being related resources for easing the adjustment to post-pandemic life, as well as additional resources for each category too. We at LUSUMA understand that the pandemic has been a difficult time for many, and so want to best support you in any way we can. Please do checkout the resources if you feel you need that extra helping hand or alternatively reach out to any of us!
We thought it would be useful to compile a list of services that come under the umbrella of welfare, both in the university and outside it. This list is large but not exhaustive - if you find a good resource then please get in touch with us and we'll add it. If a link is broken please also tell us so we can amend this.
Navigation tip - if you're looking for a particular topic (for example 'LGBT'), press Ctrl-F to get a search box open and you can search for 'LGBT' to highlight the relevant resources.
If you can't find what you're looking for here, try the LeicsTalk website which has a big A-Z list of university and community services - https://www.leicesterunion.com/support/adviceservice/leicestertalks/
This page now includes some well-being related resources for easing the adjustment to post-pandemic life, as well as additional resources for each category too. We at LUSUMA understand that the pandemic has been a difficult time for many, and so want to best support you in any way we can. Please do checkout the resources if you feel you need that extra helping hand or alternatively reach out to any of us!
We thought it would be useful to compile a list of services that come under the umbrella of welfare, both in the university and outside it. This list is large but not exhaustive - if you find a good resource then please get in touch with us and we'll add it. If a link is broken please also tell us so we can amend this.
Navigation tip - if you're looking for a particular topic (for example 'LGBT'), press Ctrl-F to get a search box open and you can search for 'LGBT' to highlight the relevant resources.
If you can't find what you're looking for here, try the LeicsTalk website which has a big A-Z list of university and community services - https://www.leicesterunion.com/support/adviceservice/leicestertalks/
Crisis Services (if you feel like you may be a danger to yourself)
- Tell a friend or a family member if you feel at risk.
- Phone your GP and ask for an emergency appointment, they can refer you to the Crisis Team if necessary.
- Present to A&E if you feel you may be an immediate risk to yourself, they can assess you and figure out what you need while they keep you safe.
- The Samaritans 24/7 Helpline - 116 123
- BMA Counselling and 24/7 Helpline, you can either get access to counselling or use their 24/7 helpline - 0330 123 1245
- Mind UK has an "I need Urgent Help" tool, found here - https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/?ctaId=/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool/slices/using-this-tool/
- Leicester University Nightline, confidential help between 8pm and 8am. Found at 01162231230.
- Turning Point Leicester provides 24/7 support via their helpline 0808 800 3302. More information can be found here - http://wellbeing.turning-point.co.uk/leicestershirementalhealth/
Medical School Services
- The first people you should ask if you're in need of some help are the Medical School's Pastoral Support Unit. You can contact them here - psu@le.ac.uk.
- Your personal tutor.
- Academic Support Services - acad-suppunit@leicester.ac.uk
- LUSUMA Welfare (more information found on this website and at welfare@lusuma.com)
University and Student Union Services (including student-led services)
Some of these are provided through the LeicsTalk campaign, found at https://www.leicesterunion.com/support/adviceservice/leicestertalks/. This is a fantastic resource, it's a big list similar to ours.
In person: Floor 2, Percy Gee Building (Opposite Student Services)
Some of these are provided through the LeicsTalk campaign, found at https://www.leicesterunion.com/support/adviceservice/leicestertalks/. This is a fantastic resource, it's a big list similar to ours.
- Student Welfare Service - this is the webpage for all university-run support. Includes various different branches, well worth a look. It's found here - https://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/welfare/welfare-front-page. You can also go up to the desk in the Charles Wilson building.
- The Students’ Union Advice service is open 10am-4pm Monday to Friday. The service offers free confidential academic, housing and signposting advice.
- Email: advice@le.ac.uk
- Phone: 0116 223 1132/1184/1109
In person: Floor 2, Percy Gee Building (Opposite Student Services)
- When the University is open, the Student Services Centre is located on the second floor of the Percy Gee building. This is the central point for information and advice for all students. This can include accommodation payments, ID cards etc.
- Email: studentservices@le.ac.uk
- Phone: 0116 252 2248
- The University of Leicester's Mental health hub - le.ac.uk/coronavirus/information-for-students/here-for-you/mental-health-hub
- Nightline - a service that runs overnight from 8pm-8am and provides confidential support when you need it most. Found at http://leicester.nightline.ac.uk/#unique-identifier or 01162231230.
- University Self-Help Guides - https://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/ssds/counselling/self-help-information
- Student Counselling Service - https://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/counselling. The Student Counselling and Wellbeing Service offers appointments for emotional and mental wellbeing. They offer booked sessions with trained practitioners, ideal for short-term support. They can be contacted at either 0116 223 1780 or wellbeing@le.ac.uk.
- Headspace - The Headspace Mental Health clinic is run by trained practitioners from Turning Point, who provide a confidential space for you to get support with any mental health issues you may be experiencing. To book an appointment, please email advice@le.ac.uk . Someone will then get back to you from the Advice Service to confirm your appointment date and time.
To use the Headspace drop-in please call 07812509495 between 10am-12pm (midday), Monday to Friday. During Term time, they also offer appointments and drop ins. - Turning Point also offer a mental health crisis helpline that can be used 24/7, all year round. The number is 0808 800 3302.
- AccessAbility, support for dyslexic and disabled students as well as those with long-term conditions including mental health difficulties. The best way to contact them is via the following email (accessable@le.ac.uk) - https://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/accessability
- Academic Representatives
- C-Card (branch of bigger NHS initiative) - https://www.leicestersexualhealth.nhs.uk/c-card
- Chaplaincy, spiritual guidance for people of faith and no faith - https://www2.le.ac.uk/institution/chaplaincy
- Choices, a sexual health drop in clinic - https://leicestersexualhealth.nhs.uk/leicester-sexual-health/choices
- Counselling and Wellbeing - https://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/ssds/spahls
- Education Unit, academic and signposting advice separate from the university
- Erase the Grey campaign by the university against gender-based violence - https://le.ac.uk/study/wellbeing/erase-the-grey
- Headspace, a mental health drop-in clinic - https://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/counselling/other-sources-of-support
- Healthy Living Advice, general online health advice including medical services - https://www.leicesterunion.com/support/adviceservice/leicestertalks/a-z/physicalhealth/healthyeating/
- Independent Sexual Violence Advisor
- LGBTQA+ Student Association - https://www.leicesterunion.com/opportunities/societies/findasociety/7220/
- Peer Mentoring Scheme - https://www.leicesterunion.com/peermentoring
- Pro Bono Society, free legal advice including housing - https://www.leicesterunion.com/opportunities/societies/findasociety/7672/
- Reporting Incidents Form - https://reportandsupport.le.ac.uk/report/anonymous
- Residential Advisors, found in university accommodation (look around for their green jumpers) as well as here - https://le.ac.uk/study/undergraduates/accommodation/life-in-halls/support
- Sexpression, sex and relationship education for young people - http://sexpression.org.uk/?leicester
- Student Learning and Development Centre, study advice and skills training via online resources, workshops and appointments - https://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/ld
- Student Minds Society, supportive and campaigning mental health society - https://www.studentminds.org.uk
- Student Services Centre - found in the Charles Wilson building, go here for anything regarding fees, accommodation, ID cards, visas and immigration issues and signposting. Also found online here - https://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/ssc
- Sports and Active Life, providing sports services and facilites - www2.le.ac.uk/offices/sports
- Training and Development Service, providing workshops to enhance skills, confidence, mental wellbeing and more.
Non-University Mental Health Services
Sexual harassment additional support services/contact numbers:
- Let's Talk Wellbeing - Let's Talk Wellbeing provides psychological assessment and treatment for what are known as mild to moderate common mental health problems. It provides community support and access to resource programmes. For more information or to make an appointment, go to www.nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/letstalkwellbeing
- Future Learn course in managing one's mental health (supporting you to thrive at home during the COVID outbreak) - https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/managing-mental-health
- Open Mind (self-referral mental health service, primarily for low-level anxiety and low mood) - https://mentalhealthpartnerships.com/project/leicester-open-mind-service/
- Time to Change, focuses on mental health discrimination. Unable to be contacted but information can be found here - https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/
- If you find yourself on a long waiting list and have the means to pay for therapy, find a qualified counsellor here -https://www.bacp.co.uk/search/Therapists. It’s important that you get along with your counsellor, so if one isn’t the right fit then keep trying different ones until you click.
- Anxiety UK - https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/
- Rape Crisis, emotional support and telephone counselling for those who have experienced sexual trauma. Found at 0808 802 9999 between 12-2:30pm and 7-9pm
- Bipolar UK - www.bipolaruk.org/
- Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), support for men's mental health - https://www.thecalmzone.net/
- Headspace Meditation - https://www.headspace.com/
- Mind Self-Care - https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/mental-health-problems-introduction/self-care/#.WyeyI4pKjIU
- Books on Prescription - https://reading-well.org.uk/books/books-on-prescription/mental-health
- BBC Mental Health toolkit - www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/YfRzhXDKSZQxFVn30TlXBj/your-mental-health-toolkit
- TogetherAll, 24/7 mental health service that is free when you sign up with your university email - https://togetherall.com/en-gb/
Sexual harassment additional support services/contact numbers:
- SafeZone App: Urgent assistance alert system, 24/7 access
- Campus Security: Call 0116 252 2888, 24/7 access
- Emergency: Call 999
- Juniper Lodge: Medical, forensic, reporting & support, regardless of gender or gender identity. Call 0116 273 3330, open Mon - Fri
- University disclosure: Support from the Standing Together team, open Mon - Fri
- A&E: Immediate medical care, 24/7 access
- GP practice: For after care and referral
- Leicester's Sexual Health Centre (Haymarket): Drop in clinic for all sexual health matters (including sexual misconduct), open Mon - Sat.
- Jasmine House: Women's sexual violence & abuse support. Call 0116 255 8852
- Counselling Service: Self-referral counselling for all UoL students
- First Step: Men's sexual violence & abuse survivor support. Call 0116 254 8535
- University Support: assisted by Sexual Violence Liaison Officers ant the university. reportandsupport@le.ac.uk
- ISVA: Independent Sexual Violence Advisor. Call 0116 273 3330
LGBT+, BAME and Equality Services
- University Equalities Unit - https://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/equalities-unit
- HeForShe - https://www.heforshe.org/en/node/90
- Leicester LGBT Centre - https://leicesterlgbtcentre.org
- Stonewall - http://www.stonewall.org.uk/
- Disability Confident Scheme - http://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/
- LGBTQA+ Student Association - https://www.leicesterunion.com/opportunities/studentgroups/findastudentgroup/7220/
- Switchboard LGBT+ - https://switchboard.lgbt/
Financial Resources
Pandemic and Post-pandemic specific well-being resources
- Student Beans (a discount site) - www.studentbeans.com/
- UNiDAYS - https://www.myunidays.com/
- Uni of Leicester Financial Support Website (really useful) - https://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/welfare/Financial%20Support
- The Scholarship Hub - https://www.thescholarshiphub.org.uk/
- Martin Lewis the Money Saving Expert - http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/
- Royal Medical Benevolent Fund - https://rmbf.org/
- Top Cashback - http://www.topcashback.co.uk/
- The Independent has a good article on saving money, click here to see it
- Mental health and money toolkit - www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/media/1397/mhm-toolkit-pdf-editable-version.pdf
Pandemic and Post-pandemic specific well-being resources
- Coping with loneliness during lockdown and re-connection - https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/coronavirus/coping-with-loneliness-during-coronavirus/
- Young Minds looking after yourself during the pandemic as a University student - youngminds.org.uk/find-help/looking-after-yourself/looking-after-yourself-at-uni/
- Mind - Coping with going into work during coronavirus - www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus/going-into-work-during-coronavirus/
- Our Frontline - Mental health at work - www.mentalhealthatwork.org.uk/ourfrontline/
- Quick relaxation techniques for healthcare workers - www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Relaxation-Strategies-for-Health-Care-Workers.pdf