Christmas at Staffordshire University 2021
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Christmas at Staffordshire University 2021
Calendar
of University Events 2021
A handpicked selection of
our most popular activities.
For full details of our events over the festive period, We have a range of events going on over the
download the Beacon App from the Apple Store or festive period to get you in the Christmas Spirit!
Google Play - search - Beacon - your digital guide to student life.
To check out all the events head over to:
Follow us on Facebook - @staffsuni | @StaffsStudentConnect
www.staffsunion.com/whatson/
https://reslifeportal.staffs.ac.uk/RSLive_Portal/Events/
2 3
Community Christmas time brings
Events about lots of events
and activities in and
around the area.
To find out what is going on, have
a look at the following links.
What’s on Shrewsbury
www.originalshrewsbury.co.uk/see-do/events
What’s on Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent
www.enjoystaffordshire.com/whats-on
What’s on London
www.timeout.com/london
www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/whats-on/christmas
www.cntraveller.com/gallery/christmas-things-to-do-in-london
www.designmynight.com/london/christmas-events-in-london
Find out what’s
going on around the area.
4 5
What’s happening
this Christmas?
Are you staying at University during the
Christmas vacation?
Then don’t worry – you won’t be the only student
staying at University during the festive period. Many
students, both home and overseas, stay at University
during the Christmas and New Year vacation.
No matter where you are from or The festive period is a time for helping
whether you celebrate Christmas, this others by giving something back to
year has been hard for a lot of people the Community and helping those
and therefore there will be activities less fortunate than ourselves. This is
and events offered by the University where Staffordshire University excels,
and around the city and local area, to and we use Christmas as the perfect
keep you entertained. opportunity to do something good,
kind and nice for others. There are
In the build up to Christmas, towns
plenty of ways you can get involved and
and cities across the UK are decorated
share in this experience. Remember
with lights and festive decorations, so
when you do any volunteering to check
taking a walk can be a lovely adventure.
any restrictions that are in place and
Christmas can also be the perfect
local guidance to ensure you remain
opportunity to experience Christmas
covid-19 compliant with any activities
traditions and even get involved in the
you partake in.
local community as a volunteer.
Don’t think you will be
Check out all the volunteering opportunities at:
www.staffsunion.com/getinvolved/volunteer the only student staying at
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University during the festive period. 7
Accessing support Don’t worry –
during the festive break there will still be support
on campus to help you if you need it.
When will the University close?
The University will be closed from 5pm on Wednesday 22 December 2021 and
will reopen as normal on Tuesday 4 January 2022.
Staff will not be accessing emails during this time as this is a holiday period for
them, so to help you whilst we are closed, we have put together some useful links
just in case you need suport - particularly if this is your first year at University.
It’s normal for students to worry over the festive period as it can be quite a
challenge working on your assessments. But don’t panic, you aren’t alone, there
is online support available.
The Students’ Union
The Students’ Union offer lots of help and advice. The main union information
As the University and Students’ point is available over the Christmas Period 10am-4pm (including Bank Holidays).
Union shuts down for the Christmas Please email union@staffs.ac.uk or call us on 01782 294629. If you are looking
for student advice then please visit the Students’ Union advice page www.
vacation, you may find the University staffsunion.com/advice where we hope we will be able to answer all of your
queries, if not give us a call.
is quieter than during term-time.
If you are staying on or around campus there are plenty of holiday activities at
the Students’ Union for you to get involved in.
Check them out at:
www.staffsunion.com/whatson/
8 9
Accessing support during the Festive break
Support with your assignments Covid support
We have a wide range of learning resources and tools to help you study effectively and If you have any specific concerns you can email: covid-19@staffs.ac.uk
develop the skills you need to succeed. https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/as-support or you can call the Coronavirus Helpline by calling 01782 298500.
Campus Life Security Team – Stoke-on-Trent and
Library Opening hours, Academic Skills Team
Stafford campus
and Student Connect
The Security team are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Security office is based
The Academic Skills Team can support you with all aspects of your academic work. We
in the Cadman Building main entrance and they will be managing the access to, and safety
help with understanding how to achieve your assignment brief, structuring your written
and security of, the University buildings and Halls of residence during the Christmas break.
work, writing in academic style, acting upon tutor feedback and so much more…
The team will manage and attend incidents and emergencies on Campus as the first
response. The Security office can be contacted on +44 (0) 1782 294837. Week beginning 20 December 2021, the Academic Skills team is offering academic
skills drop in sessions via MS teams from 10am – 4pm (which will open via this link
If the incident is an emergency please call +44 (0) 1782 294444.
https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/as-support/christmas2021), in addition to the normal 121
appointments offered via https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/appointments. The Student
Connect Team will be available to help you, with any enquiries, online via live chat, email
and phone from Monday 20 December – Wednesday 22 December, 9am – 5pm.
Reslife
The Residence Life Hub at Coalport will be open until 7pm on Friday 17 December. We
will then be open 12pm-3pm every day (except closed on 24 December, 25 December, 26
December and 1 January). Our normal opening hours will resume on Tuesday 4 January at Library Opening Hours
9am.
All four libraries will be open over the Christmas vacation.
You can reach the Residence Life team by calling +44 (0) 1782 294221 or via your MS Teams Library - Creative, including Cadman Study space, and Shrewsbury are open 24/7, self-
accommodation team during our opening hours. The team will not have access to email service
during this period so please call the team with any queries.
Library – Core is open from 7am to 10pm each day, self-service
The Campus Safety and Security team are available 24 hours a day over the Christmas Library Centre for Health Innovation (Blackheath Lane, Stafford) is open from 6am to 10pm,
and New Year period and can be contacted on +44 (0) 1782 294837 or by email: self service
campussecurity@staffs.ac.uk or via the SafeZone app.
Vacation opening starts from Thursday 23 December until Monday 3 January (inclusive). A
Please note, for any maintenance issues, please call the Residence Life office during current student or staff card is required to gain access to the building and the Library.
opening hours to report. For out of hours maintenance issues, please call the Campus At Shrewsbury, vacation starts Saturday 25 December until Monday 3 January (inclusive).
Safety and Security on +44 (0) 1782 294837. You will require an out of hours card to gain access to the Library building. Cards are
available from the Library desk, prior to vacation start for a cost of £5
10 11
Accessing support during the Festive break Emergency Support
If you are looking for help in an emergency or feel you need support urgently, you could try
one or more of these options (open 24 hours every day unless otherwise stated):
• Phone for an ambulance and/or the Police on 999.
• Go to the Accident and Emergency Department at a hospital.
• Contact your GP or ‘out of hours’ GP support.
• You can access the NHS 111 Service telephone 111 (24 hrs a day).
• Phone the NHS Mental Health Access Service for South Staffordshire on 0808 196 3002
and for Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin on 0808 196 4501.
www.mpft.nhs.uk/services/mental-health-community-services
• Phone the NHS Mental Health Access Team for Stoke on Trent and North Staffordshire on
0300 123 0907. www.nhs.uk/mental-health/
• If you are at our London campus then you could phone the Newham Mental Health Crisis
Line/Crisis Support 0800 073 0066 which is in our campus area
www.elft.nhs.uk/service/448/Newham-Mental-Health-Crisis-Helpline
• For information about options to consider immediately after a rape or sexual assault,
visit the NHS Choices web pages. If you wish to contact a Sexual Assault Referral Centre
(SARC) in the Staffordshire and surrounding areas, you could contact the following places.
Grange Park – Sexual Assault Referral Centre
Cobridge Community Health Centre, Church Terrace, Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent,
Staffordshire, ST6 2JW.
If you want to access the service with Police support please report the assault by
Self Service Opening Hours telephoning 101. If you are an adult and want to attend SARC without the Police, please
call the 24 hour self-referral number on 0800 970 0372.
The times when the buildings are open but the Enquiry Desks are not staffed are referred
to as Self Service or Out of Hours Opening. The buildings are supervised by Campus The Glade Sexual Assault Referral Centre for West Mercia. Worcestershire, Herefordshire
Services staff and access is restricted to: and Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.
Tel: 0808 178 2058
Visit: www.theglade.org.uk
• Current Staffordshire University Staff.
If you live or study at our campus in East London you could consider contacting NIA, who
• Current Staffordshire University Students and Alumni. deliver services for women, girls and children who have experienced sexual and domestic
violence.
• NHS users who have a valid Library Card and an Out of Hours Access Pass.
Visit: www.niaendingviolence.org.uk/contact-us
12 13
Accessing support during the Festive break
Togetherall You are not alone.
Join the online mental health community, accessible anywhere, anytime. Peer support,
resources for self-management, information and advice, support programmes.
Live therapy can be booked quickly. This site is not intended for use in an emergency -
Prioritise your mental health.
please dial 999.
Open: 7am - 11pm, 7 days a week (Monitored 24/7 by trained clinicians)
Visit: www.togetherall.com
Papyrus HOPELineUK
Open: Open: 9am - 12pm everyday including bank holidays
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Tel: 0800 068 4141
Text: 07786 209697
Staffordshire Mental Health Helpline
Open: 7pm - 2am weekdays, 2pm - 2am weekends
Tel: 0808 800 2234
Email: staffordshire.helpline@brighter-futures.org.uk
Tel: 07860 022821
Visit: www.brighter-futures.org.uk
Karma Nirvana Samaritans
A registered charity that supports victims Tel: 116 123 (24 hrs every day)
and survivors of forced marriage and honour Email: jo@samaritans.org
based abuse. Visit: www.samaritans.org
Open: Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm
Email: info@karmanirvana.org.uk
Tel: +44 (0)800 5999 247
Visit: www.karmanirvana.org.uk
14 15
Accessing support during the Festive break
Be ready for the
difficult British weather!
Looking After Yourself During the Winter Months
As you have probably already noticed, the weather has changed over the past month or
so. During December, January and February, it can reach temperatures below freezing. It
is important for your health to dress sensibly for the cold weather. The media has recently
reported that we should being warned to dig out the thermals for an icy blast of freezing
cold weather and heavy snow, which could hold out for six weeks over November and
December. Although it is enjoyed by many people, it can be dangerous to walk around in
the snow and ice without the appropriate footwear.
It is a good idea to make sure you have warm, waterproof clothing and accessories, for
example:
COVID-19 Support
• A warm, waterproof coat with a hood. • Wear several layers of clothing not just
If you are isolating, have a positive test result, are showing symptoms, or living with • Gloves and a scarf. one layer.
someone who is showing symptoms, then please let us know by visiting Beacon and • Closing your curtains at dusk and keeping
• Boots or heavy shoes, with a good grip to
clicking on the COVID-19 tile. your doors closed to block out draughts.
stop you from slipping in icy weather.
If you have any specific concerns you can email: • Heated hand warmers (they omit heat for • Have regular hot drinks and eat at least
covid-19@staffs.ac.uk or you can call the Coronavirus Helpline by calling 01782 298500 about 40 minutes and can be re-charged one hot meal a day if possible. Eating
in boiling water) regularly helps keep energy levels up
during winter.
Try to ensure that the rooms you live and work in are warm enough, and that you have
International Students’ Guide to a British Christmas plenty of bedding at night. Not all buildings have double glazing or central heating, and
dampness can make you feel colder.
International student’s may easily wonder ‘what is going on in the UK at Christmas? What
are all these strange things everyone has become obsessed with? And how do I have a On the other hand, be careful not to keep your room too hot, as gas and electricity can be
classic British Christmas?’ expensive - and it will feel even colder when you do go out.
To find out more check out this article: For more information and practical advice go to:
www.student.com/articles/an-international-students-guide-to-a-brilliant-british-christmas www.metoffice.gov.uk/barometer/advice
16 17
Go Green Stay safe
this Christmas this Christmas
1. Candles 7. Fairy Lights
Be careful when lighting candles this time of Keep tabs on how old your Christmas
year. The increase in clutter and decorations lights are and if they are in good condition.
creates an extra fire hazard in the home. The newer the light, the higher the safety
standard will be. Like candles make sure that
2. Pet Safety they are off when you leave the house or go
to bed. When putting up your fairy lights
Everyone knows when the festive season make sure you check them for any potential
arrives our intake of chocolate goes up; hazards. Check the wires for fraying, any
make sure you keep them out the way of bare spots in the wire and kinks in the line.
your pets. Anything containing xylitol can
be poisonous to your pet. Also, leftover
wrappers can cause your pet to become ill
8. Decorations
if they decide to eat them. Before you leave a room, turn off your tree
and decoration lights when they aren’t
3. Fireplace being used.
Keep your tree away from heat sources and
fireplaces. A real tree can get really dry and 9. Ladder Safety
to go up in flames very quickly. Be smart when putting up decorations in
high up places. Use a stepladder or ladder
4. Stable Christmas Tree and inspect it beforehand.
When putting up your tree ensure that it is
on a stable base. You don’t want your tree 10. Drink Driving
to fall over and cause an injury or fire. In the December period, it is no myth that
people like to have a few more drinks than
5. Artificial Tree usual when visiting family and friends. It’s
simple…don’t drink and drive. If you are out
When choosing an artificial tree, choose and about visiting people and happen to
carefully. Check the label to make sure that have a few drinks, leave the car there until
it is flame resistant to eliminate the hazard the morning. Another option is to designate
of a potential fire. a sober driver.
6. Real Tree 11. Christmas Dinner
Unwatered Christmas trees can get very dry, When preparing your Christmas dinner
this makes them a huge fire hazard. A small make sure you think about food hygiene.
spark from a faulty light can cause a tree Thoroughly wash your surfaces and utensils
to go up in flames in seconds. Keep your after cooking with raw meat. If you decide
trees watered to avoid potential injuries or to reheat your leftovers the next day make
fatalities. sure you reheat them properly. 74 degrees
Celsius is the minimum temperature your
reheated food should be.
18 1920 Activities To Try
Over ‘Christmas Vacation’
1. 5. 9. 13.
Go for a Christmas lights walk or drive Learn to cook some new student- Learn a new language using Duolingo Keep your brain ticking over and learn
to find the best lights in your local area. friendly recipes from BBC good food. - you can choose from 36 languages something new! The Open University
including Italian, Arabic and Russian. has a selection of free courses available.
2. 6.
10. 14.
Host a Christmas movie night for you Host an in person or virtual Christmas
and your friends, or use Netflix Watch Trivia night. Make your own Christmas Wreath, have Watch a ‘Better than Yesterday’ or
Party to watch a film with mates who a look on YouTube for ideas and how to ‘TED talks’ video on YouTube.
are far away. do this on a student friendly budget.
7. 15.
Get a cheap train ticket to a city of your
3. choice and visit the attractions or take
11. Bake some Christmas biscuits, try
Host a board games night or play a a self-guided virtual tour through top Get stuck into some new books by these BBC recipes for some ideas:
virtual board game using museums and cultural sites around the reading the Booker Prize longlisted www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/
www.boardgamearena.com world using Google Arts & Culture. nominees. christmasbiscuits_93733
4. 8. 12. 16.
Take a virtual visit to Edinburgh Zoo Get mindful by doing a ‘Yoga with Make a mindful mandala pattern Do some Sporcle quizzes - there are
and see the animals using their live Adriene’ video with her 30 days of from leaves and other natural finds - hundreds of topics, but you could try
web cams. yoga programme. even create one in a public place for to learn every country in the world!
someone else to find!
20 2120 Activities To Try Over ‘Christmas Vacation’
17.
Make your own Christmas ornaments,
try Pintrest for some great ideas.
18.
Check your local theatre to see if they
are showing a Christmas play or panto.
19.
Celebrate the season by doing a
random act of kindness for someone.
20.
Make time for yourself Most importantly, make sure you take
steps to look after your mental health.
The NHS Every Mind Matters app is
a good place to start.
over the festive season.
22 23The Student Support and Wellbeing Team wish all students a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Find us on: www.staffs.ac.uk/socialmedia
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