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Lockdowns are not easy and the current situation can sometimes feel too much, but please do not suffer in silence. It is okay to not be okay and it is okay to ask for help.
We've put together some information on this page that we hope will help you, including wellbeing tips and advice and details about help services that are available to you.
You can also take a look through our Wellbeing and Support During College Closures document and the Student Guide to Managing Mental Health During Covid 19 docment by Rehab Clinics Group.
The Coronavirus outbreak is an unprecedented and concerning situation. For people who experience anxiety disorders (and for those who don’t) it may trigger some additional worries. The BaCP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) has written a guide on coping with anxiety about Coronavirus.
The idea of self-isolating can be a bit intimidating, but there are steps you can take to look after your mental health and wellbeing if you need to stay at home. The BaCP have written a helpful article containing top tips for self-care if you are self isolating.
Some families may have to self-isolate together, which can be a challenge. If you need help with your family relationships, Relate provide support and counselling services for families and couples.
The BBC have written an article about families self-isolating together and how to make it a positive experience.
The Guardian’s article on how to stay positive during the Coronavirus crisis may also be helpful.
Finances and money may be another source of worry at this time. Martin Lewis’s Money Saving Expert website has some really helpful information on financial help and rights that is being regularly updated as the situation develops.
MSE also has a page on Travel rights for people who were planning on travelling abroad and have had to postpone their plans due to the outbreak.
If you are worried that you may have symptoms of the Coronavirus please visit the NHS website and use their symptom checker to get advice about what you should do next. Try to get your information from reliable sources. The main point of information in the UK is the Government website.
The college’s Safeguarding team is here to support students if there are concerns about safety or wellbeing. If you are worried that a child or young person may be at risk of harm please contact the safeguarding team on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. This will be monitored during college working hours (9am – 5pm Monday to Friday.
Safeguarding staff available during the hours are:
Cait Orton 07983 523 096
Ged Boyer 07825 021 382
Rachel Scarborough 020 8607 8074
Beth Pattison 0208 607 8214 (9am – 3pm Mon, Weds, Thurs, Fri)
If you have an urgent concern outside of college opening hours please contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or contact your Local Authority safeguarding team. Those students who are already working with a Welfare and Engagement Adviser or member of the Safeguarding Team will be offered continuing support on an ongoing basis. If you believe a child is at immediate risk of significant harm call 999.
Students and parents/carers will be able to contact the Careers Advisors through email:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Our office hours are 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday We are happy to help with CV writing, interview skills, and any questions you or your child may have about careers. However, if you would like to talk about this year’s examinations situation and how it will affect your child, please do bear in mind that this is a national situation which is developing rapidly and, at the time of writing, a clear position is yet to be communicated by the Department for Education. We will of course keep students and parents/carers updated with information as it becomes available.
The college’s Inclusive Learning Support team can be contacted through their central email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Students who currently receive 1:1 support from the ALS team will continue to receive this support remotely.
Students will be contacted directly to make arrangements for this. Students who do not receive 1:1 support but who regularly access support from the Inclusive Learning team should contact their tutor (by email or Microsoft Teams) in the first instance in order to receive support.
The Counselling service will continue to offer a remote service. Existing clients will be contacted on their college email addresses by their counsellor.
Any student who would like to make a request for counselling can use the email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or follow the link on Moodle.
Please note that all college services are subject to staff working hours and unfortunately may be impacted if staff become unwell. We are working remotely and will maintain as effective a service as possible.
Below are a list of external services that you may find useful:
Mental Health services
Good Thinking - NHS approved wellbeing service
NHS Coronavirus and mental wellbeing
Papyrus (suicide prevention)
Physical health
NHS or phone 111
Come Correct (sexual health)
Your rights
Financial advice
Food banks
Local library services (including accessing Information Technology)
Housing and homelessness
Domestic Abuse
Refuge (Women and Children) - 0808 2000 247
Respect (men) - 0808 8010 327
Links to these sites are also on the footer of the website and Moodle and have Exit buttons for your safety.
Child Protection/ safeguarding
(see also college safeguarding information above)
Childline (18 or under): 0800 1111
Concern about a child: 0808 800 5000
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