Coronavirus Guidance: Wellbeing and Support for Students, Staff and Parents
It’s really important you look after your wellbeing and we’re here to help.
Our support and wellbeing team has provided some advice and top tips for staying well, managing anxiety and social isolation during this difficult period.
Background photo: Our beautiful Cinderford campus in The Forest of Dean
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“I look on the past few months with pride in GC staff and students. Pride in how they have risen to unexpected challenges and remained positive and proactive throughout. Pride in how staff have gone the extra mile to support students and our partners; embodying our College Values. Pride in students for adapting to change and continuing to learn and thrive in uncertain times.“
Meet the Safeguarding team
If you need support or advice, please get in touch by emailing: safeguarding@gloscol.ac.uk
Contact GC's Safeguarding Team
During this period of time, the safeguarding team at GC is still available to provide advice and guidance to all members of the Gloucestershire College community. If you need support or advice over the coming weeks, please email: safeguarding@gloscol.ac.uk
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Coronavirus (COVID-19) has had a significant impact on everyone’s lives and, following the Government’s enforcement of a countrywide lockdown, we have found ourselves unable to see our friends and family and to go out and do the usual things we take enjoyment from.
During this uncertain time we may feel restless, frustrated, and lonely. We may also feel low, worried, anxious, or be concerned about our health or that of those close to us. Everyone reacts differently to challenging times, and changes in the way that we think, feel and behave vary between different people and can occur at differing times.
It is important that we take care of our mind as well as our body and get further support when needed.
We felt, therefore, that it was pertinent to share the Government’s latest guidance on mental health and wellbeing relating to COVID-19 – this can be found here.
The BBC have also released some useful information in relation to the impact of news articles and how to protect your mental health. This can be found here.
Update from GC Safeguarding team:
Mental Health and Wellbeing guide
How to maintain good mental wellbeing during isolation
Suicide Awareness and Prevention advice and guidance
Prevent
Prevent is part of the government’s strategy for preventing people becoming radicalised which may lead to extremism and acts of terrorism. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the threat from terrorism has not gone away.
Advice from GC’s Safeguarding team:
Online Safety Update
We are using the internet and online services more now than perhaps ever before, so it’s important to keep safe and follow best practice.
Advice from GC’s Safeguarding team:
Domestic Abuse
"At home shouldn't mean at risk."
The household isolation instruction as a result of coronavirus does not apply if you need to leave your home to escape domestic abuse.
Advice from GC's Safeguarding team:
Resouces from Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service (GDASS):
- Safety planning guide for victims and survivors during COVID-19
- Safeguarding advice for professionals supporting domestic abuse victims
- Visit: gdass.org.uk for more help and guidance
Advice from the Government:
Student Experience
During these difficult times, we are committed to making sure that all our students still have the best possible experience while you study. To help us to continually improve the experience that you and your peers are having, we would love to hear your feedback.
We want your feedback
If you have any feedback (positive or negative) or ideas for things that could be improved, you can also share this by emailing: david.kettlety@gloscol.ac.uk.
Student Support and Additional Learning Support
Our Student Mentor team has collated some really useful information below to support you during this unusual time and we will continue to develop and update this section.
Needing some extra support while working from home?
The Learning Support team are able to make sure that you get the help that you need while you study at home. Depending on your preference, additional support sessions can be delivered by email, telephone or video conversations on Microsoft Teams.
If you need to access any support, please get in touch with the Learning Support team at learning.support@gloscol.ac.uk and a member of the team will be in touch.
For those of you who usually receive additional support while you are at College, support will continue and the Learning Support team will be in contact to make arrangements.
Helpful Links and Resources
You are not alone. There are so many organisations and resources available to help you. Find some helpful links below.
Look after your physical health
The Body Coach - Joe Wicks (aka: The Body Coach) has a YouTube channel full of free workouts. The sessions will be streamed LIVE every morning at 9am for a 20 minute P.E lesson. This is a fantastic way to start the day, feel energized, increase the endorphins in your body and stay fit - youtube.com/thebodycoach
Cheltenham Yoga - The Cheltenham Yoga Studio is uploading free yoga classes to their website. Yoga is good for the body and mind; it can support sleep and encourage relaxation - cheltenhampilatesandyoga.co.uk/yoga
Look after your mental health
Happy not Perfect App - Happy not Perfect is an app that has a simple mission: to help you feel good from the inside out. No-nonsense, research-backed tools and products to care for your mind - happynotperfect.com
Headspace - There are a lot of unknowns in the world right now. But one thing is certain — Headspace is there for you. To help support you through this time of crisis, the app offers meditations you can listen to anytime - headspace.com/covid-19
On Your Mind Glos - NHS website with option to explore topics around mental and physical health for young people across Gloucestershire - onyourmindglos.nhs.uk
Every Mind Matters (NHS) - A helpful website covering Anxiety, Stress, Sleep and Low Mood, gives tips, videos and urgent support if needed - nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters
TIC Plus - TIC Plus are working remotely and remain accessible via phone and email to ensure all young people and parents are supported - ticplus.org.uk
The Blurt Foundation’s ‘Helpful Hub’ - The Blurt Foundation has created a resource to support people through this unknown time. Their helpful hub provides advice and support - blurtitout.org/the-coronavirus-helpful-hub
Youth Support Team - Gloucestershire Youth Support Team’s priority is the safety and wellbeing of young people and the staff that work so hard to support them. So for the foreseeable future, the YST will be delivered online and over the phone rather than in person - youthsupportteam.co.uk / facebook.com/gloucestershireyouthsupport
Practical support
The Mix - A useful resource to provide support on many topics. The following link provides support with tenancy-related queries - themix.org.uk/housing/renting/coronavirus
Gloucestershire County Council’s Community Help Hub - The hub includes four forms for:
- 'I can offer help’ – is for those who are able to support neighbours with tasks such as picking up prescriptions, shopping, dog walking and more
- ‘I need help’ – can be used by individuals to ask for support
- ‘My neighbour needs help’ – may be used by people to request help on behalf of a neighbour, relative or friend who cannot access the internet themselves
- ‘My business can help’ – will allow local businesses who may have skills and resources others could benefit from, to offer their help
Find out more here - gloucestershire.gov.uk/helphub
Hope Support Service - Online help for young people aged 11 to 25 years-old who have a loved one with a serious illness and are worried about what the virus means for them - hopesupport.org.uk
Worried about your future or what your next steps should be?
Get in touch with GC! Our staff are all here to support you. Reach out to our student support team, and we will be able to offer you help and guidance: 0345 155 2020 / info@gloscol.ac.uk
University Concerns - UCAS has information for students worried about University applications - ucas.com
Helpful Links and Resources for Parents and Carers
The Department for Education has published a helpful guide for parents and carers which you can access here:
Closure of educational settings: information for parents and carers
Juggling your studies or work around childcare?
Worried about completing college work and having to look after your child or babysit a sibling? We have tried and tested a wide range of apps and resources to help you out.
Simple fun activities from newborn to five years-old - hungrylittleminds.campaign.gov.uk
Audiobooks - Follow the link to hear David Walliam’s read one of his books each day at 11am - worldofdavidwalliams.com/elevenses
BBC Teaching live lesson - Online Lessons and Activities - bbc.co.uk/teach/primary-live-lessons
Lesson plans, activities, apps and more:
How can I keep my child safe online?
The Department for Education has provided their suggestions for helpful guidance for parents and carers to keep their children safe online:
Thinkyouknow (advice from the National Crime Agency to stay safe online)
Internet matters (support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online)
Parent info (support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online)
LGfL (support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online)
Net-aware (support for parents and careers from the NSPCC)
Safeguarding Information and resources
During this period of time, the safeguarding team is still available to provide advice and guidance to members of the Gloucestershire College community. If you need support or advice over the coming weeks, please email: safeguarding@gloscol.ac.uk
If you need support or advice over the coming weeks, please get in touch by emailing: safeguarding@gloscol.ac.uk
External resources
There are many external organisations who are also here to help you. Click the links below to access support:
Coronavirus Information
Read the latest statement from the Principal and keep updated with news from Gloucestershire College for all students, staff and parents.