Welcome to the staff newsletter from the student wellbeing team. Read below this month's updates: 

Student Wellbeing canvas site launched

The wellbeing team has published a canvas site for student wellbeing. It is self-enrol so please feel free to enrol here and pass it on to your students. There is no new information on here, it is designed to put wellbeing information where students/ academics look on a regular basis.

16 days of activism against gender based violence

Starting on Monday 25 November (international day for the elimination of violence against women) and ending on Tuesday 10 December (Human Rights Day), there will be a programme of events. Follow us on Instagram @universityofsussexwellbeing for more details.

Additional wellbeing stalls

There are additional wellbeing stalls across the campus. Please do signpost students to talk to us about student health and wellbeing in the following places:

• 5 November (12 noon-2pm): Freeman student area
• 13 November (11am-1pm): Chichester 1 social space
• 19 November (11am-1pm): Arts C resource centre
• 27 November (2pm-4pm): Pevensey 2 just inside entrance
• 3 December (12 noon-2pm): Essex House near entrance

Peer support group for survivors of sexual violence

This is for any student who has experienced sexual or domestic violence that runs fortnightly by a therapist and a specialist advisor. For students to join this, they need to email svdv@sussex.ac.uk.

Stress awareness day – chair movement in the student centre

In collaboration with active US, students can join a stress reducing session of chair movement. The practice allows for individuals to enjoy the physical and mental benefits of yoga without needing to perform complex postures. Please tell students that they can book onto a 15-minute slot from this link.

Terrance Higgins Trust sessions

The Terrance Higgins Trust are hosting two webinars for students, please do signpost people to them!

Sign up here to attend a webinar on HIV awareness by the Terrance Higgins Trust on Friday 8 November at 1pm.

Sign up here to attend a webinar by the Terrance Higgins Trust – let’s talk about chem sex. This is Friday 15 November at 1pm.

The Terrance Higgins Trust will be in the Student Centre talking about PrEP on the 27 November from 1-3.

Wellbeing Instagram 

Students can find out about resources, events and drop-ins taking place on campus and the local area, to support your overall well-being. Give us a follow to stay up to date! 

Wellbeing stall themes (Thursday 12 noon-2pm student centre atrium during term time)

Not sure where to send the student? Please tell the students about the wellbeing stall from 12-2 in the atrium of the student centre to find information about where you can go for support.

Our stalls have the following themes:

• 7 November: national stress awareness day
• 14 November: diabetes awareness day
• 21 November: University drug and alcohol awareness week.
• 28 November: the start of 16 days of activism against gender based violence

Workshops

Please refer students to the below workshops that are being run.

How to cope with presentation anxiety (Monday 11 November 12noon-2pm online): book here

Do you feel nervous or anxious before giving a presentation? You’re not alone! Many people experience anxiety when speaking in front of an audience. However, with the right tools and techniques, you can manage these feelings and become a more confident and effective presenter.

Homesickness workshop (Friday 1 November 2pm-4pm) in person: book here

Feeling homesick can be overwhelming. If you’re struggling with the emotional challenges of being away from home, we invite you to join our Homesickness Workshop, designed to help you cope, connect, and thrive in your new environment.

If there is anything that you would like to request in the next update, please fill this request form or email Naomi Harris, nh237@sussex.ac.uk. Resources for ongoing support can be found in the newsletter section of our canvas site.