The University Money Advice Service are hosting a visiting debt advice service via the Local Citizens Advice Bureau.
The advice is free and confidential and will be available on the second Thursday of each month at Firstpoint 2-4pm.
Next available appointments are Thursday 8 March
Drop in or contact firstpoint to book a slot
Student Services News aims to provide current University of Worcester staff information, updates and insights from across Student Services. We support students in many different ways, across all aspects of student life. Student Services includes:
You can access the latest newsletter here: Semester One 2017-18
Students, staff and sixth formers in a packed lecture theatre listened in awe as Mindu Hornick spoke about her traumatic experiences in Auschwitz, as part of the University’s Holocaust Memorial event.
Having already been forcibly removed from her home, and seen her father sent off to dig trenches for the Germans, Mindu was sent to the concentration camp at the age of 12, with her mother, sister and two young brothers. On their arrival, a Polish prisoner bravely told the girls to lie about their age and say they were seamstresses. Taking this advice, Mindu and her sister were sent on ahead, initially to sort prisoners’ confiscated clothing; they would never see their father, mother or brothers again.
Mindu shared her memories of the dangers of daily existence in Auschwitz, eating turnip soup and bread doctored with sawdust and chemicals, the smell of the camp, poor sanitation and the lack of any hope of escape. She told of the hours they had to stand, twice each day, for the selection process, when Josef Mengele would signal who would die, with a wave of his spotless white gloves.
Later, Mindu and her sister were moved to a munitions factory, where they managed to survive until the end of the war, along with their cousins, despite constant hunger, brutal treatment and the threat of disease.
“When people ask how I survived, I always tell them the same thing – sheer luck.”
When Allied soldiers were about to arrive, the Germans packed the camp survivors into a goods train, intending to bomb it before they could be rescued. Mindu’s eloquent story faltered, and the room was absolutely silent, as she described how the Allies mistakenly bombed the train and killed half of the 500 surviving women on the day before their liberation.
After the liberation of the camp in 1945, Mindu and her sister returned to Prague, but it was not long before they had to leave their home country due to the Soviet occupation and the regime’s hostility to Jews. Mindu came to the UK to live with a family member in Birmingham, where she later happily married and raised her daughters, while her sister made a new life in Australia.
It was many years before Mindu was able to speak about her time in Auschwitz; she told us that after the war nobody wanted to hear survivors’ stories. Publication of personal accounts, and in particular The Diary of Anne Frank in 1947, paved the way for other eye witness accounts, and Mindu has spent the last 12 years talking to thousands of school children and university students to bring this harrowing period of history to life, supported by the Anne Frank Trust UK. She wants to “share what is impossible to believe” with the next generation, in the hope that such atrocities will never happen again.
Mindu’s testimony received a standing ovation. It was an honour for us to hear such a personal and moving story from a survivor of the holocaust, and those who attended this event are unlikely to forget Mindu’s words, which are echoed throughout the University:
“…do not stand by in the face of injustice…”
27 January marks the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. It is the day chosen by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust for everyone to remember the millions of people murdered in the Holocaust, under Nazi Persecution and in the subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. The day is also being marked in the University with words and messages of hope being written on stones by students, to reflect the Jewish tradition of placing stones on graves. This symbolises the permanence of memory, and references the Hebrew word tz’ror, which translates into both ‘pebble’ and ‘bond’.
Mindu was invited to share her message with the University by the Student Services Chaplaincy. If you have other suggestions of events the Chaplaincy could arrange, please share your ideas via chaplaincy@worc.ac.uk
Bernadett Huszti, a second year Plant Science student and Silver Worcester Award winner, has been chosen as the winner of the Worcester Award competition and a hamper that includes chocolates, biscuits and champagne. Here is her winning entry in response to the question ‘What does the Worcester Award mean to you?’:
‘The Worcester Award helped me in integration, improved my self-confidence and provided a more meaningful environment while I was settling down in Worcester. During this program I could gain valuable knowledge in work experience and I got many great opportunities to make friends and collect professional contacts for future cooperations.’
If you would like to find out more about the Worcester Award and how you can get involved, please visit the Worcester Award website or contact Neil Laurenson in the Careers & Employability team on 01905 855354 or n.laurenson@worc.ac.uk
firstpoint closures: December 2017
Thursday 7 December 2017: firstpoint will be closed all day for Student Services Away Day.
Thursday 14 December 2017: firstpoint will close at the slightly earlier time of 15:30 before reopening for the Staff Mulled Wine and Mince Pies celebration at 16:00.
Wednesday 20 December: firstpoint will be closed all day for firstpoint Away Day.
Christmas Break: firstpoint will be closed from Monday 25 December 2017 to Tuesday 2 January 2018.
firstpoint opening hours, week commencing 18 December 2017
Our opening hours will be 08:30 -16:15 from Monday 18 December 2017 to Friday 22 December 2017.
We will return to our normal opening hours of 08:30-17:30, Monday to Friday, from Tuesday 2 January 2018.
The Peirson Study and Guidance Centre will remain open throughout via the 24 hour entrance.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
firstpoint closures: December 2017
Thursday 7 December 2017: firstpoint will be closed all day for Student Services Away Day.
Thursday 14 December 2017: firstpoint will close at the slightly earlier time of 15:30 before reopening for the Staff Mulled Wine and Mince Pies celebration at 16:00.
Wednesday 20 December: firstpoint will be closed all day for firstpoint Away Day.
Christmas Break: firstpoint will be closed from Monday 25 December 2017 to Tuesday 2 January 2018.
firstpoint opening hours, week commencing 18 December 2017
Our opening hours will be 08:30 -16:15 from Monday 18 December 2017 to Friday 22 December 2017.
We will return to our normal opening hours of 08:30-17:30, Monday to Friday, from Tuesday 2 January 2018.
The Peirson Study and Guidance Centre will remain open throughout via the 24 hour entrance.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
We are very pleased to share with you the launch of the firstpoint website, which you can access at: www.worcester.ac.uk/firstpoint
The firstpoint website has been created with a focus on current students and staff members to provide a comprehensive, accessible online resource where you can find information and solutions to many queries. The website also highlights the support services available to current students and aims to encourage engagement with these services.
You can access the eight main categories of the firstpoint website, using the orange buttons on the main page or from the menu on the left hand side of the page, or via the firstpoint button on myday. There is also an A-Z of categories for a wider overview of the information available, and to make searching for an answer easy.
We hope the website will serve as a useful tool for students and members of staff alike, allowing you to access information about the services available at firstpoint, in a quick and effective manner.
This is to let you know about the Graduate Employers Networking Fair on Tuesday 24 October at the Joel Richards Conference & Media Suite.
Run by the Careers and Employability team, WBS, the SU and Bright Futures, the event will be run in two stages:
Networking slots 11.30-13:00 – an opportunity for students to practise networking skills, present themselves effectively and practise their personal pitch on a 1:1 basis. Places are limited and booking is essential.
Graduate Fair 13:30-15:00. Students can meet employers and find out about graduate opportunities. Open to all, no booking required.
Students should dress smartly, bring along a copy of their CV and prepare their questions.
Over 20 employers are attending, including: Civil Service Fast Stream; Enterprise Rent-A-Car; Damarel; Handlesbanken; Intel; Intouch Games Ltd; Lloyds Banking Group; npower; National Citizen Service; Sanctuary Group; Volvo, Worcester Bosch; and Worcestershire County Council!
For more information, advice about how to prepare for the fair and bookings, students are required to visit www.worc.ac.uk/careers/gradfair
‘Fancy a Cuppa?’ events are running again this semester. Student Services staff will be available in firstpoint offering a free drink, biscuit and the chance to chat to all students who would like to join us. They provide an opportunity for students to make contact with Support staff and, if they wish, to talk about issues that may be affecting them at the beginning of the semester. Confidential spaces are available if needed.
Whether students are new or returning, all are welcome. Please encourage students to drop by during the following times:
25th – 29th September Monday – Friday 11am-1pm
2nd – 6th October Monday – Friday 11am-1pm
Information can also be found through the Student Support & Wellbeing web pages: www.worcester.ac.uk/studentsupport/cuppa-event.html
Special recognition has been awarded to more than 250 University of Worcester students who have under taken a host of extra-curricular work and activities.
The students all completed the Worcester Award, which encourages students to participate in a range of activities to help boost their employability.
The Award is run by the University’s Careers & Employability team and is supported by a number of local employers.
This year 252 students achieved the Worcester Award, the highest number to achieve the award since it began in 2010. Of those, 43 achieved Bronze, 90 Silver and 119 Gold.
The Mayor of Worcester, Councillor Steve Mackay, who attended the Worcester Award ceremony, said: “The University’s Worcester Award scheme is excellent, because everybody benefits. Students contribute many hours of their time, not just for paid employment but also to volunteer in the city, enhancing the lives of residents and visitors through their efforts. The students benefit too, gaining valuable experience and skills which, all the more, employers are seeking.”
Students completed a range of activities, including delivering Chinese Mandarin classes; being a Special Constable; work experience at a museum; volunteering at a Hindu temple; setting up an Arts & Craft business; becoming the editor of a student magazine; and volunteering with St John’s ambulance.
Three students also received additional special recognition awards; Anthony Redfern was recognised for Outstanding Overall Performance, Heather Edwards for Outstanding Presentation and Christopher Jordan for Outstanding Interview. Each student received Amazon vouchers, which were funded by this year’s Worcester Award sponsors, Worcestershire Ambassadors and Sanctuary Housing.
Ross Renton, Pro Vice Chancellor Students at the University, said: “We are delighted that so many students have achieved the Worcester Award this year. We are so proud of all those students who have managed to achieve great things during their time here at the University of Worcester. The range of additional and voluntary activities will greatly enhance their future employability as it gives firm evidence of their motivation, as well as the skills and experiences they will be expected to demonstrate in future job applications and interviews.”
The University is keen to hear from local employers who would like to be involved in the Worcester Award, particularly as panel members for Gold Award interviews. For more information email worcesteraward@worc.ac.uk
Let’s get purple and support Purple Day on 26 March.
Purple Day is a day where all across the world people are raising awareness of epilepsy. We will hold our own event on Thursday 23 March in Firstpoint. Come along and find out more about epilepsy and show your support. There will be freebies, information and fun photo opportunities.
Join the University’s Money Advice Team from Tuesday 14 February to Thursday 16 February from 10.00 to 3.00 in the Main Reception of St John’s Campus for advice and information on Saving Money and Recycling.
The Team will be joined by:
Worcestershire Resource Exchange (Weds) demonstrating use of scrap in Arts and Crafts and offering reduced prices for student membership
The Coop offering prizes and student discount
The SU issuing NUS Cards and the UW Sustainability Team’s Travel Store.
There will also be many freebies on offer!
Please note that firstpoint will close at 4.00pm on Monday 12th December. The PCs and study areas in the Peirson Study and Guidance Centre will remain open as normal, with access via the 24-hour entrance.
We apologise for any inconvenience.
Shark Repellent on Campus!
The Money Advice Service is delivering a promotion in the main reception area from the 15th to 17th of November to raise awareness of the real and often dangerous cost of borrowing. On the 15th they will be joined by the UK Illegal Money Lending Team, Trading Standards Staff and a UW Community Police Officer for a special day to explain how to recognise and report “Loan Sharks”. Two staff in“ Loan Shark” costumes will be visiting campus for the day and a “selfie stick” will be available for photo opportunities!
Student Services News aims to provide current University of Worcester staff information, updates and insights from across Student Services. We support students in many different ways, across all aspects of student life. Student Services includes:
This first edition includes articles on:
Student destinations & Careers support for graduates
My Day: Kirsten Brown, Counsellor: insights into Counselling & Mental Health services
Loan shark awareness campaign
Student isolation during the Christmas holidays
Accessing Assistive Software
New research: International approaches to disabled student support
Access the newsletter home page here: https://uwstudentservicesnews.wordpress.com/
If you have any comments or queries about the newsletter you can contact Student Services News through the online newsletter or at ssn@worc.ac.uk
Helping students to access the right support at the right time
Whatever your role at the University of Worcester – whether you are an academic tutor, or working in a professional services role, a student-facing service, or the Students’ Union – this guide is for you. It is designed to ensure that you can, quickly and confidently, direct students to the advice and support they need, when they need it.
While students choose to study at the University of Worcester primarily to take advantage of the outstanding academic experience on offer, specialist advice and support is also fundamental to a truly excellent student experience. Student Services offers a range of support and advice on all aspects of student life.
Guide for University Staff covers a range of the support available from Student Services, focusing particularly on those services and situations we are most frequently asked about by colleagues. It outlines some of the key signs and behaviours to look out for to help you spot a student who may need additional support, provides practical guidance on what action you might need to take, and finally indicates what might happen once a referral is made.
This guide is available online at: http://www.worcester.ac.uk/your-home/information-for-staff.html
Dyslexia Awareness Month at the University of Worcester continues this week:
For further information about any of the events or activities during Dyslexia Awareness Month, please contact Patrick Clark, Specialist Learning Support Service Manager at p.clark@worc.ac.uk or 01905542499.
Dyslexia Awareness Month at the University of Worcester continues this week:
For further information about Dyslexia Awareness Month, please contact Patrick Clark, Specialist Learning Support Service Manager at p.clark@worc.ac.uk or 01905542499.
Study Happy is a year-round programme of events co-ordinated by University of Worcester Library Services and designed to help students in Worc
ester study healthier, happier and smarter.
Study Happy focuses on looking after students’ mental, physical and academic health and wellbeing through a combination of open access online resources, one-off events and ongoing initiatives.
The programme pulls together services from across the University of Worcester, local sixth forms and the wider community to support students studying in Worcester.
For more information, online resources and the full programme of events visit the Study Happy webpages: Library.worc.ac.uk/study-happy
Our first big Study Happy event, Stress Awareness Day will feature mindfulness and qigong taster sessions, Pets As Therapy dog visits and crafting and gaming activities and will take place on Wednesday 2nd November 2016 at The Hive.
Please promote the programme and the event to students wherever possible. As the Stress Awareness event falls within Worcester Week you may wish to include it in your Worcester Week timetable for students.
If you are currently co-ordinating or have an idea for an initiative that you feel could sit under the Study Happy banner please don’t hesitate to get in touch to discuss your ideas with Madalene George, Study Happy Co-ordinator: m.george@worc.ac.uk
Calling all staff!
The Careers & Employability Service has some temporary, part-time evening work available.
Starting the 10th January 2017, the work will last for four to eight weeks at £8.44 per hour.
The work will involve telephoning graduates and recording their information on to a computer.
For full details and to apply, please go to www.worc.ac.uk/community/current-vacancies.html and search ‘DLHE survey staff’.
For more information please call 01905 855166, or email careers@worc.ac.uk
Thank you.
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month at the University of Worcester, with lots of activities and events on all Campuses and at the Hive throughout the month. These include free dyslexia awareness film showings, launch of a new Dyslexia Network open to students, promotion of our in-house screening services, dyslexia awareness talks and launch of dyslexia awareness post-cards and posters, designed by first year Graphic Design students.
We are also participating in National Dyslexia Awareness Week which runs between October 3rd and 7th. This year’s theme under the theme: “Identification of Dyslexia”.
This week’s activities include:
For further information or to get involved please contact Patrick Clark, Specialist Learning Support Service Manager on 01905 542499 or p.clark@worc.ac.uk
Calling all staff!
The Careers & Employability Service has some temporary, part-time evening work available.
Starting the 10th January 2017, the work will last for four to eight weeks at £8.44 per hour.
The work will involve telephoning graduates and recording their information on to a computer.
For full details and to apply, please go to www.worc.ac.uk/community/current-vacancies.html and search ‘DLHE survey staff’.
For more information please call 01905 855166, or email careers@worc.ac.uk
Thank you.
The Counselling & Mental Health Service is offering a new ‘Quick Guide to Wellbeing’ for the beginning of Semester 1 as part of their contribution towards World Mental Health Day on Monday 10 October.
You can invite a member of their professional team to attend one of your teaching sessions for 15 minutes to:
· Come along to meet you and your students
· Introduce the ‘5 Ways to Wellbeing’
· Explain how and when to contact the Counselling & Mental Health Team
· Demonstrate a quick way to help calm anxiety and focus attention
The offer is open to all cohorts, so the larger the group, the more students we can reach in the first few weeks! Please see the attached flyer for details.
Please contact Nikki Tobin at n.tobin@worc.ac.uk or Ext. 2063 to arrange a date and time.
Disabled students, staff and visitors can now find out more about the accessibility of buildings and facilities across campus, thanks to a new online resource.
We’ve worked with a national disability organisation, DisabledGo, to produce guides which provide detailed information about the facilities on campus such as reception areas, toilets, meeting rooms, libraries, lecture halls, shops, accommodation and more.
The detailed access guides are live and available for all to use at: http://www.disabledgo.com/organisations/university-of-Worcester
“The University has a long-standing commitment to inclusion, ensuring that all students reach their full potential. We’re therefore delighted to be working with DisabledGo in the production of these access guides to benefit our students, staff and visitors.” – Ross Renton, PVC Students
The University was independently assessed in person by trained DisabledGo surveyors to ensure accurate, detailed information was collected.
The guides will be a great help to disabled students, staff and visitors at the University. They will equally be of help to staff answering any access queries about things such as parking, walking distances and toilet facilities.
Firstpoint will close at the slightly earlier time of 5.20pm on Thursday 23 June 2016, before re-opening for a conference reception.
The Peirson Study and Guidance Centre will remain open throughout via the 24 hour entrance.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
“Fancy a Cuppa?” is an event ran by Student Services support staff at various points in the academic year. It will be returning in May, offering students another opportunity to have a free drink and spend some time relaxing in the company of others.
Students can also come and speak with a member of staff in confidence and in a non-judgemental manner.
Please encourage students to come along to the “Fancy a Cuppa?” event for a free hot drink and a chat with friendly and welcoming members of Student Services. We are here to listen, share in their experiences and offer advice if required. If students would like to speak to someone in private, a room is available.
On certain days we will be joined by a therapy dog, Monty, who students (or staff) are welcome to stroke and pet.
“Fancy a Cuppa?” will take place on the following days:
Monday 16 to Friday 20 May 2016 1-2pm
Attached is a poster that you are encouraged to print and display. Fancy a cuppa poster
The University of Worcester are looking for Conference and Accommodation Assistants, Halls Assistants, Receptionists, Campus Services Assistants and Grounds staff. A great opportunity to earn money over the summer and boost your CV!
Application Deadline 10th April 2016
The University of Worcester students’ Money Advice Service are promoting the Access to Learning Fund (Student Hardship Fund) Access Fund in the St John’s Campus Reception Area on Wednesday the 24th of February, Thursday the 25th of February and Friday the 26th of February from 11.00 am to 3.00 pm.
They aim to increase awareness to students and staff of the non-refundable money available throughout the year to help eligible students in financial difficulty.
Money Advice staff will be on hand to answer questions about the fund and give advice on completing the application form.
Quality “freebies” will also be available e.g. piggy banks, sweets, lunch boxes, memory sticks preloaded with excel budget sheets and so on.
The Uni PCSO’s PCSO 6435 Tash Harris and PCSO 6118 Alun Jones are doing a series of crime prevention/public safety initiatives around the University called “The PCSO Roadshow”, each month we will tackle a different subject. We will have stands dotted around the University at different times and dates giving out information leaflets and free stuff related to whatever the subject off the Month might be. We will continue the Cyber safety month with further stands on 25th Feb 1400-1700 in City Reception.
A weekly service of communion will be held in the Chaplaincy meeting room, Bredon 178, St John’s Campus on Mondays from 1.30pm to 2pm.
The service will use a variety of liturgies, including the Church of England and Iona Community.
All welcome.
We are running an event for Student Mental health and Wellbeing day on 3rd March 2016.
The photography competition will be judged and the best 4 will be displayed on the day. There is a prize of a book token for the ‘winner’.
The theme will be ‘The Beauty around you’
Originals will need to be sent to mentalhealth@worc.ac.uk or delivered to Woodbury 80 by 29th Feb.
Dry January 2016 is here!
Are you ready for a New Year challenge?
Did you know that even if you had a few booze free weeks you will feel the health benefits.
You could lose weight, enjoy more sleep and even save loads of cash!
SIGN UP NOW! www.dryjanuary.org.uk by using your staff email address.
23 days to Dry January 2016!
Did you know that on top off you feeling the health and financial benefits to having a booze free month, you could also get involved and help others by fundraising for Alcohol Concern who champion Dry January.
Stuck for ideas? You could hold a movie night or a mocktail party, host a bake off or a coffee morning.
For further ideas, Go to http://www.dryjanuary.org.uk/fundraise
Alternatively, If you don’t want to fundraise but would still like to have a booze free month, then go to
www.dryjanuary.og.uk and sign up by using your staff email address.
An information and advice event run by the University Money Advice Service.
Information and advice on budgeting, understanding credit and avoiding unmanageable debt will be available:
Plus lots of freebies and the chance to choose a present from Santa’s sack!
