Student Services
Coronavirus: guidance for staff and students
We are fully committed to ensuring all content delivered online is of the same high quality as students can expect on campus. Our approach to supporting students through these uncertain times is to show compassion, to make sure our courses are accessible, to show resilience, and to ensure that all of our students have an excellent experience. We call these guiding principles our CARE philosophy. We have also put together some further advice for those who have experienced covid-19 related bereavement.
Here are some other useful resources
ACTO - COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Advice – advice for individuals in counselling, or about to start counselling, online or over the phone.
BABCP – Let’s talk about CBT – What can we learn from CBT for health anxiety that might help us with feelings of anxiety during the pandemic? In this Podcast episode, Dr Lucy Maddox interviews Dr Jo Daniels from Bath University about things we know are likely to help.
Calm.com- Without a doubt, many of us are feeling anxious as we navigate the uncertainty of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Enjoy a free curation of meditations, sleep stories, music and more, all hand-picked to support your mental and emotional wellness through this time.
Down-regulating meditation for fear – short guided meditation, facilitated by Lael Keen of Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute, on how to self-regulate when experiencing fear - very relevant for all of us in the age of Coronavirus.
Free Psychotherapy Network - The Free Psychotherapy Network are offering online groups for people living in the UK who are isolated during this coronavirus crisis. The network particularly reaches out to people who have few resources or opportunities for support, conversation and connectedness during this uncertain and frightening time.
How to counter the effects of social distancing – video of Stephen Porges, developer of the Polyvagal Theory, talking with Serge Prengel about countering the effects of social distancing. Good tips throughout!
MindSET Livestream (Body & Soul) - a live, weekly 45-minute session that helps provide DBT skills to young people in emotional distress. To register for each session, simply fill in the short form using the link above. Anyone registering will be given a link to the next session and links to view recordings of any previous sessions. Take a look at the first session.
ORCHA – is a health app evaluation and advisor organization – on their website they offer free helpful apps to help children and young people with the Coronavirus
Protecting your family during the pandemic - Dr David Price of Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City shares information in a Mar. 22 Zoom call with family and friends on empowering and protecting families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Self-injury Support – a nationwide organization providing support to individuals who self-harm/injure. Their services are still being offered remotely during the lockdown.
Step up (Rethink) – This is a link to an online resource for students, created by students in collaboration with Step Up/Rethink Mental Illness. They have created an interactive "magazine" full of tips on how to cope with the current Covid-19 situation, inspired by CBT techniques and insight into the challenges students can face.
The Help Hub - The Help Hub has been set up to support individuals who find themselves with limited contact due to the Covid-19 Coronavirus. It is led by a group of qualified therapists who are giving their time freely to help people in this situation offering 20-minute chats on Skype, FaceTime or on the telephone.
University Mentoring Organisation (UMO) is a specialist mental health mentoring organisation that the University has worked with to supply our students with specialist mentors. Their staff are highly trained and provide excellent support. On their site, Julio Cervantes, an accredited mental health practitioner and specialist mental health mentor explains how you can take care of your mental and emotional health during Covid-19.
What Therapists tell Clients who are anxious about Coronavirus – a Huffpost article with a few helpful strategies on how to manage anxiety during the outbreak.
WHO (World Health Organization) Coping with Stress guideline – a friendly and brief guide on things to bear in mind during the outbreak
Get in touch
Specialist support and advice
Our Student Services team is here to help you maximise your potential and support you with the challenges you may face while you study. Find more information on the services we offer below:
Brexit: support for students
Everyone at London Met is committed to supporting you during the changes ahead. We’re especially aware that those of you from other EU member states will be concerned about how the UK’s relationship with the EU may impact on your studies going forward.
The situation is changing all the time, but we think the biggest impact is likely to be on those of you who are currently on an Erasmus+ study placement, on a year-in-industry placement in the EU or have one planned, have taken a break from studies and left the UK or who have field trips planned for the next academic year. If you think you might be affected please contact our international student support team.
Where can I get support?
International student support team
- adviceinternational@londonmet.
ac.uk - +44 (0)20 7133 4186
Other sources of advice
There are some really good Brexit FAQs on the Universities UK website. These are updated regularly and are a reliable source of information.
You can also visit the following websites:
Emergencies
Counter-Terrorism Policing is asking students, universities, and student unions to stay safe and know what to do in case of an emergency incident. The UK’s Senior National Coordinator for Protective Security, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Lucy D'Orsi, adds: “There is no specific intelligence to say colleges and universities are being targeted and the chances of being caught up in a terrorist incident or weapons attacks are still low. But sadly we have seen lethal assaults carried out by people with a variety of deadly motives. So it is important everyone stays alert and knows what to do if the worst was to happen.” Firearms and weapon attacks are rare but all communities need to be prepared. If you should get caught up in an incident, their advice is simple: Run, Hide, Tell.
Run to a place of safety. This is a far better option than to surrender or negotiate. If there is nowhere to go then...
Hide, it’s better than to confront. Remember to turn your phone to silent and turn off vibrate. Barricade yourself in if you can. Then finally, and only when it is safe to do so…
Tell the police by calling 999.
Remember if you see anything suspicious that is giving you cause for concern, trust your instincts and ACT. Contact the Security Team or report to specialist officers online.
In an emergency always call 999.
Students' Union support and advice links
The Students' Union offers specialist support and advice and can also help advise on academic support.
Contact details:
- Get in touch - studentsunion@londonmet.ac.uk
- Specialist support and advice - advocacy.su@londonmet.ac.uk
- Academic Support - advocacy.su@londonmet.ac.uk
Book an appointment
Book an appointment to see a member of one of our specialist advice teams.
Academic support
Under 18's Policy
London Metropolitan University is committed to equal opportunities and all applications are considered on their individual merits.
Occasionally the University admits students who are under the age of 18 years. These students and their parents/guardians should understand that the University predominantly admits students who are over the age of 18 years and that they will be entering into an adult environment. The University treats all its students as independent, mature individuals and students who are under the age of 18 years will be treated in the same way.
The usual personal and academic support arrangements will apply to students who are under 18 years. However, the University acknowledges that anyone under the age of 18 is legally a child and recognises that students under the age of 18 may therefore have additional needs in relation to their wellbeing.
The University's full under 18 years policy is available at:
Report a cause for concern - safeguarding
Safeguarding - it is everybody's concern
London Metropolitan University is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. At London Metropolitan University safeguarding is everybody's concern. Raise all concerns, no matter how small you think it might be, no concern is too small to share.
What is safeguarding?
Safeguarding is about protecting a person's right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. It is about working together to prevent and stop both the risk and experience of abuse or neglect. Safeguarding at London Metropolitan University includes children, vulnerable adults, radicalisation, violence against women, harassment and hate crime.
To report a concern and for more information please see the University Safeguarding Webpages.
Advice for apprenticeship students
As an apprenticeship student, you have access to a wide range of pastoral care and support provided by the student support services at the University.
As an apprentice, the support you receive in the workplace through your workplace mentor is as crucial as that you receive through the university. If you have a wellbeing issue whilst you are at work you may be able to raise this with your mentor. If you feel that you are unable to raise concerns with your mentor you can still contact the university even if you are in your workplace.
If you have a concern outside the opening hours of the university and your own working hours the links within the community support services section, below, lead to organisations that may be able to help you outside of our normal operating hours.
If you feel unsafe and are in imminent danger you should contact the emergency services.
If you have any general queries regarding your course please email the Apprenticeships team.
Get involved
Community Support Services
Accommodation
Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help.
Crisis supports people out of homelessness for good through education, training and support with housing, employment and health. They offer one to one support, advice and courses for homeless people in 12 areas across England, Scotland and Wales
Addiction support
Advice on how to deal with issues and the consequences relating to substance abuse
national charity working to help reduce the problems that can be caused by alcohol.
Friendly, confidential drugs advice.
NA is a non-profit fellowship of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. The organisation consists of recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean. The only requirement for membership is the desire to stop using. The information on this site is provided for those who think they may have a drug problem, professionals working with addicts seeking recovery, for recovering addicts.
An on-line NHS resource offering advice, information and support for those who wish to stop smoking and stay stopped.
A national centre of expertise on drugs and drugs law that provides free non-judgmental, specialist advice and information to the public and professionals on issues related to drug use and to drug law.
Bullying, harassment and abuse
Support for women recovering from childhood abuse
This web site deals in particular with work-place bullying. The site aims to help a variety of people around bullying issues: employees being bullied, an employer dealing with bullying, a concerned family member, a union rep, counsellor, professional, researcher, journalist, etc.
Resources to support those who have been falsely accused of rape, another serious sexual offence, or domestic violence.
Victim Support (VS) is an independent charity for people affected by crime and traumatic events in England and Wales. Their specialist teams provide individual, independent, emotional and practical help to enable people to cope and recover from the effects of crime.
A charity dedicated to providing support and education to women and children who have been victims of domestic abuse. They also offer training to professionals and/or survivors who would like to engage in the effort to support others.
Run by Jewish women for Jewish women who have experienced or are experiencing domestic violence. Freephone helpline, with 24-hour answerphone outside of helpline hours. face to face individual counselling. Outreach support for women living in the community, offering advice and information on a range of issues, including housing, legal and welfare benefits. Kosher refuge.
Refuge is committed to a world where domestic violence is not tolerated or ignored and where women and children can live in safety. Refuge's network of safe houses provides emergency accommodation for women and children when they are most in need. The web site also gives a telephone helpline.
Male survivors of childhood sexual abuse and male rape have until recently been the silent, unseen victims of sex crimes; often forgotten by the support services and legal system. In the last couple of years, this has fortunately begun to slowly change.
A web site established for survivors of childhood abuse. Contains information and biographical material from people who have experienced abuse.
PDF from the home office website aimed at parents whose children may be impacted, encouraged or affiliated with youth gang culture.
A location-based website to track where anti-Muslim hate crimes happen on a map so that safety can be considered on a day to day basis. Through care and support signposted where needed.
UK based charity providing support to women particularly of south Asian origin who have left voluntarily or been forced to leave their home due to religious and/or cultural pressures.
Domestic violence
Advice and guidance linked with a 24 hours support helpline.
Advice for women and children including issues around forced marriage, FGM, domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking, modern-day slavery.
A helpline offering advice, emotional support and signposting to males who are victims of domestic abuse by partners or ex-partners.
Specialist service for women and their families in Haringey, Newham, and Hackney who are at the highest risk of murder or injury through domestic violence.
E-safety
Advice on being 'Cyber Aware'
Providing practical advice on how to protect yourself, your computers and mobile devices against fraud, identity theft, viruses and many other problems encountered online.
Finances
Save the Student Rent Calculator
Use the rent budget calculator below to see how much you can afford in rent each month after everything else is considered.
First Love Foundation Foodbank
We give food, support and advice to people who are facing a crisis in their lives. From the moment someone walks into one of our foodbank centres, we sit down with them to listen to their story and understand how we can help them get their life back on track. We work together with our partners, to help people transform their lives and build stronger communities.
International - General Guidance
UK's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.
EHIC - European Health Insurance Card
Information about and link to the application for EHIC card for EU nationals
UKCISA - Information on Brexit for European students and their families
Information about how the UK leaving the European Union may affect you.
UKCISA - Brexit - EU Settlement Scheme
Information about the EU Settlement Scheme, what it is and the application process.
UK National Agency for Erasmus+
Partnership between British Council and Ecorys UK managing the delivery of Erasmus+ in the UK
Official London tourism website run by Mayor of London's promotional Agency, London & Partners, offering events calendars, links to what's on in London and how to get the most out of time in the city.
International - Immigration Support
Expert, confidential advice for international students looking for information on immigration and fee status.
UKVI - UK Visas and Immigration
UK Home Office website with information and guidance about applying for various UK visas.
JCWI - Joint Council for Welfare of Immigrants
Charity working to support immigrants in the UK including legal advice and guidance.
Mental and Emotional Health
Free, confidential support for those in need of someone to talk to.
A service to promote the relief and rehabilitation of persons suffering from agoraphobia and associated anxiety disorders.
provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
Prevention of young suicide
Extensive search engine for Counselling, Psychotherapy professionals and other Mental Health Professionals in the UK.
Essential support on a range of services for under 25s.
A free, confidential listening service for students.
Whether you have a mental illness yourself or are caring for someone else who has; whether you are a healthcare professional, or you simply want to know for yourself - there are facts, information and advice on a wide range of subjects right here, at your fingertips.
Gamcare takes a non-judgmental approach on gambling and works to develop strategies that will: improve the understanding of the social impact of gambling, promote a responsible approach to gambling, address the needs of those adversely affected by a gambling dependency.
an organisation for people whose lives are affected by Bipolar. Services include: Support groups, information and publications, Support Line.
This website has been developed with the help of student consultants who have been affected themselves by depression, low mood or suicidal thoughts. Although the site offers lots of information and resources for tackling depression, the real experiences of depression described by these students are the most important aspect of what this site has to offer.
The web site aims to help people experiencing compulsive disorders, other related anxiety disorders, including tranquilliser withdrawal, and to provide support to sufferers and their families and or carers by the following means: telephone helpline, night-time crisis line, reading materials, recovery programmes etc.
APNI - Association for Post Natal Illness
The Association for Post-Natal Illness is the leading organisation in its field. It is a registered charity, established in 1979 to: provide support to mothers suffering from post-natal illness, increase public awareness of the illness, to encourage research into its cause and nature.
CRUSE Bereavement Care is a charity that offers free information and advice to anyone who has been affected by a death; provides support and counselling one to one and in groups; offers education, support, information and publications to anyone supporting bereaved people; increases public awareness of the needs of bereaved people through campaigning and information services.
BPDWORLD information focuses on borderline personality disorder (BDP) but the site has a lot of information about other issues including depression, self-harm, schizophrenia, anxiety and more. There are forums, chat opportunities, peer support systems, live chat to volunteers, and a journal system.
The Survivors Trust (TST) is a national umbrella agency for over 135 specialist rape, sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse support organisations throughout the UK and Ireland. The aim of the Trust is to empower survivors of rape, sexual violence or childhood sexual abuse through supporting and improving effective responses to survivors. Member organisations provide a range of direct services to survivors including counselling, support, helplines and advocacy services for women, men and children.
Charity offering help, treatment and training on how to tackle eating disorders. Their services extend from helplines, message boards, counselling/psychotherapy to online and peer support groups.
National Centre for Eating Disorders
This site gives information and professional help on all aspects of eating disorders including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder and related eating disorders.
Overeaters Anonymous is a fellowship of individuals who are recovering from compulsive overeating. The organisation welcomes everyone who wants to stop eating compulsively. There are no dues or fees for members and the organisation is self-supporting through its own contributions. Its primary purpose is to abstain from compulsive overeating and to carry this message of recovery to those who still suffer.
Provides psychotherapeutic help for children and families of recently arrived refugees who are having problems of adjustment.
The National Self-Harm Network (UK based but available to everyone from any country) has been a survivor-led organisation since 1994. We're committed campaigners for the rights and understanding of people who self-harm. Our priority is to support survivors and people who self-harm. We also support the people it indirectly affects, like family and friends, they can discuss the issue and gain effective support in our forums.
Equilibrium is a unique award-winning user-led self-injury awareness organisation designed to help educate and support people who self-harm and their family and friends.
A leaflet provided by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, for anyone who has experienced a traumatic event or know some else who has. Deals with such issues as the causes of PTSD, what it feels like, symptoms such as flashbacks and nightmares, exacerbating factors, psychological and physical explanations of PTSD, help and treatments.
David Balwin's Trauma Information Pages
Trauma Pages focus primarily on emotional trauma and traumatic stress, including PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder) and dissociation, whether following individual traumatic experience(s) or a large-scale disaster. The purpose of this award-winning site is to provide information for clinicians and researchers in the traumatic-stress field. Specifically, my interests here include both clinical and research aspects of trauma responses and their resolution.
Founded in 1985, the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture provides care and rehabilitation to survivors of torture and other forms of organised violence.
Survivors International is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing essential psychological and medical services to survivors of torture who have fled from around the world to the San Francisco Bay Area. SI aims to help survivors put the pieces back together by providing the support they need to re-establish healthy and productive lives after their experiences of torture.
The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture
VFST was established in 1987 to meet the needs of people in Victoria who were tortured or traumatised in their countries of origin, in other countries, or while fleeing those countries. The Foundation is non-denominational, politically neutral and non-aligned. The Foundation provides direct care to survivors of torture and trauma in the form of counselling, advocacy, family support, group work, psycho-education, information sessions and complementary therapies. Though not British based, the site contains useful information.
Support and advice to young care leavers to help them reach their full potential
The Women and Girls Network offers counselling, advocacy and advice for women and girls who have experienced gendered violence, including sexual and domestic violence.
Physical Health
Advice on how to deal with and manage eating disorders
Sexual assault
NHS - Help after Sexual Assault
Detailed guidelines for people who have experienced rape or sexual assault. Includes a list of what to do and ways to seek support.
Specialist centres in London for people who have been raped or sexually assaulted.
An umbrella organisation that supports the work of rape crisis centres across England and Wales. Includes information on support services, self-help materials, and information on sexual assault.
Survivors UK supports and provides resources for men who have experienced any form of sexual violence: 'We aim to actively promote awareness of both the prevalence and effect of the sexual abuse and rape on boys and men'. Survivors UK is based in Central London and provides information, support and counselling.
Information and support for those people experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse
Sexual health
Free, confidential information regarding a range of sexual health topics.
C-Card Registration and Distribution
Free condom distribution to under 25s.
Comprehensive sex education and relationships information.
Sexpression: UK
Comprehensive information regarding sex-education, sexual health, and relationships.
Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous, or SLAA, is a Twelve Step, Twelve Tradition oriented Fellowship based on the model pioneered by Alcoholics Anonymous. SLAA is open to anyone who knows or thinks they have a problem with sex addiction, love addiction, romantic obsession, co-dependent relationships, fantasy addiction and/or sexual, social and emotional anorexia.
Naz Project London provides sexual health and HIV prevention and support services to South Asian, Middle Eastern, North African, Horn of African and Latin American Communities. Naz aims to educate and empower communities to face up to the challenges of sexual health and the AIDS pandemic, and to mobilise the support networks that exist for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Terrence Higgins Trust Counselling offers these services: Individual and couple counselling for gay men and anyone affected by HIV/AIDS. Service for 16-25 year olds, support for African people, sexual health counselling for gay men. Counselling for gay men with relationship difficulties. Appointments are available throughout the week, including evenings. Counselling is offered at sites across London.
Stonewall was founded in 1989 with the aim of creating a professional lobbying group on behalf of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals and to put the case for equality on the mainstream political agenda by winning support within all the political parties. The web site provides information of a range of issues including criminal law, partnership, parenting, violence.
London's largest and most experienced private therapy practice working with sexual minority clients. As an organisation, they aim to promote high-quality therapy and training services for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. All Associate Therapists positively identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual.
The Jewish AIDS Trust aims to provide the Jewish community with education, counselling and support in connection with HIV infection and AIDS. The site contains a great deal of information and quizzes.
An online platform that allows members of the transgender & non-binary communities to find a support group local to them (or even an online-only group). The site is run by volunteers and a not for profit organisation. Users can find a local group and even message them directly from the site using the "Contact Group" button. They don't store any details and the site is secured by SSL.
Students with children
Supporting single-parent families to live secure, happy and fulfilling lives.
Gingerbread (Single Dads pages)
Practical advice to help dads in the first couple of years of becoming a single parent.
Online support and signposting service for parents going through separation or divorce.
Set up in 2008 with the aim of supporting dads through the practicalities of raising children alone.