Welfare Resources & Contacts

Support and Wellbeing Services | Students - UCL – University College London

The team of expert wellbeing, disability and mental health staff provide a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space to discuss any issues that may be affecting your ability to study. All support services are free of charge and open to UCL students of all levels.

Contact:

1. askUCL: submit an enquiry online to find the guidance and answers to your questions.
2. Visit the team: drop in to talk to the team in person at the Student Support and Enquiries Desk. Meetings with advisers from the Disability and Neurodiversity and Mental Health and Wellbeing Teams are by advance appointment only.
3. Student Support Phone Lines: call and speak to an adviser 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Useful Links:

• General and academic support
• Mental health and wellbeing
• Disability and neurodiversity
• Personal safety
• Physical health
• Alcohol, drugs, unwanted or addictive behaviours
• Identity
• Suicide prevention and support
• Specialist support
  • Students affected by war, conflict and disaster
  • Student homelessness
  • Sexual harassment, misconduct and violence

Counselling services | Students - UCL – University College London

The counselling services team are dedicated to helping UCL students with personal, emotional and psychological concerns. They offer up to 6 free counselling sessions per year, from 1st August - 31st July, for all students who are actively engaged in study at UCL.

Contact:

• Email: spcs-info@ucl.ac.uk
• Phone: 020 3108 8836
• Address: Counselling Services, 3 Taviton Street, WC1H 0BT

Useful Links:

• Register for counselling
• After you've registered
• Self-help and other resources
• Urgent and out of hours support

Report + Support - University College London

Everyone at the UCL, whether studying, working, or visiting, has the right to feel safe. Harassment of any kind is completely unacceptable, and our community is an environment where prejudice and socially unacceptable behaviour are never tolerated.

If you would like to receive further support while remaining anonymous, you can enable two-way messaging before submitting your report.

Contact:

• Speak to an Adviser
• Report anonymously (limited action can be taken)

Fund your studies | UCL Scholarships and funding - UCL – University College London

Find out about funding available to students including loans, scholarships and bursaries for specific subject areas.

Contact:

• Current students: via askUCL
• Email: studentfunding@ucl.ac.uk
• Phone: 0207 679 0004

Useful Links:

• Undergraduate students
• Postgraduate taught students
• Postgraduate research students
• PGCE and teacher training
• International Foundation Course (UPC)
• Scholarships Finder
• US Student Financial Aid
• RIBA Part 1 and RIBA Part 2
• Medicine MBBS and Allied Health courses

UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services phone lines | Students - UCL – University College London

In-the-moment support is available via the UCL 24/7 Student Support Line, in 35+ languages.

Contact:

• +0808 238 0077

You will be able to speak to an adviser who can help you through any issues you are facing, including but not limited to:

• Feeling anxious or stressed
• Money worries
• Cultural differences
• Homesickness
• Addiction
• Relationship difficulties
• Bereavement
• Bullying, harassment and/or sexual harassment
• Anything you feel is impacting your mental health, wellbeing or time at UCL

The advisers reflect the diverse range of backgrounds needed from our students. You can curate your own experience by selecting to speak to a male/female adviser, a BAME adviser or an adviser with additional training in LGBTQ+ related issues.

Cost of Living Hub | Students - UCL – University College London

Find the latest information, support and guidance available to students affected by the rising cost of living.

Useful Links:

• Advice and guidance
• Financial support
• Managing your money
• Emergency accommodation
• Study support
• Working during your studies

Other places to find help:

• Students' Union UCL - Cost of Living Support
• Camden Council - Cost of Living Support
• Warm spaces in Camden
• UCL Financial Assistance Funds

Housing and Accommodation | Students Union UCL

All the housing advice you'll ever need in one place, from making sure your contract is legit to ensuring you’re not paying Council Tax if you don’t need to.  We're here to make finding housing easier.

• Your guide to accommodation
• Types of Accommodation
• Advice for Renters
• Finding Accommodation
• Renter's Checklist
• Flatmate Finder
• Council Tax
• Housing Repairs
• Useful Housing Contacts
• Homelessness / Finding Emergency Accommodation

Academic Issues | Students Union UCL

We know how important your studies are to you and we want to help you to succeed whilst making sure you get the most out of student life. Students' Union UCL is here to support you throughout your time at UCL.

We've put together some handy advice to help you understand UCL's policies and procedures for when things don't go to plan or if you need to go through a formal process.

• Academic Misconduct
• Extenuating Circumstances
• Delayed Assessment Scheme
• Interruption and Withdrawal
• Student Complaints & Appeal Procedures
  • Academic Appeals
• Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA)
• UCL Disciplinary Code and Procedure
• Collaborative Research Project Agreement Guidance

Money and Debt | Students Union UCL

Money can be tight as a student. We’re here to help you manage your money and deal with any problems that might come up during your time at UCL.  

Money worries can be stressful. But you don't have to go through this alone. Speak to the Advice Service as soon as possible, and we can help you plan your next steps.

Employment Rights | Students Union UCL

One of the biggest problems workers face is a lack of awareness about what our legal rights are. If we don’t know what we’re entitled to, it may mean we are missing out on something. This guide outlines some of your basic rights. It’s not a comprehensive list, but we hope it helps!

Some rights at work depend on your employment status, and some depend on how long you’ve been working in a given workplace, but these are the rights which all workers are entitled to from their first day of employment.

Language + Writing Support Programme | Students Union UCL

The Language + Writing Support Programme is run by the Union for international students studying at UCL.

We're here to help non-native English speaking students with their academic writing and speaking. Our Peer Tutors run several different types of free activities to help you with your written and spoken English, including a regular programme of workshops and one-to-one sessions.

Financial Support | Students Union UCL

Our financial support is designed to be additional to UCL’s core hardship support. We aim to support students who, for whatever reason, cannot access UCL support but are in financial need - preventing them from continuing or completing their studies, or from taking part in student activities.

Funding and Financial Advice:

• Financial Literacy and Capability
• Meet the UCL Student Funding Advisor
• Money and Debt Advice
• UCL Cost of Living Hub

UCL Financial Assistance Funds

• Undergraduate, Postgraduate Taught, PGCE, Postgraduate Research and other students
• Doctoral School Fellowships

Students' Union Funds

• Sarah Douglas Hardship Fund
  • This fund provides support if you cannot access UCL's Financial Assistance Fund but are in financial need.
• Student Participation Fund
  • Grants to enable you to take part in extra-curricular and co-curricular activities.
• Gender Expression Fund
  • Supporting the needs of transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming students.

Student Parents and Carers | Students Union UCL

Student parents and carers are represented in the Students' Union by the Officer for Students with Caring Responsibilities. They're here to represent the interests and concerns of student carers to both the Union and UCL.

If you would like to contact the Officer for Students with Caring Responsibilities, you can email su-scr.officer@ucl.ac.uk

Student Sex Workers | Students Union UCL

We support a student’s right to choose to engage in sex work, and are committed to providing support and advice to student sex workers who visit our service. We are also dedicated to challenging the stigma attached to sex work, and will provide support to student sex workers who are facing discrimination or negative judgements from UCL staff members. You can find the Students’ Union’s policy on supporting sex workers here.

Mental Health | Students Union UCL

Coming to University is exciting and a great adventure, but making new friends, settling into a new place and preparing for exams can be challenging. It's therefore no surprise that many students experience mental health issues during their time at university.

If at any point you feel that you are struggling, UCL and the Students' Union are here to support you. Here you can find a list of both UCL and external support services, plus a few apps which you also may find helpful for looking after your mental health. 

Sexual Health | Students Union UCL

Sexual health is an important aspect of students’ welfare. We therefore want you to know how to take care of your sexual health, just as you would with your physical health.

Our Advice Service supplies free condoms for students that need them. Just drop into the first floor of 25 Gordon Street to get yours.

If you would like to book an STI screening, pick up some contraception or just want some more information about sexual health, you can book an appointment at the following clinics.

• Brook Euston
• Brandon Centre
• Pulse Sexual Health Clinic
• 56 Dean Street
• Find a sexual health clinic near you

Scams | Students Union UCL

A scam is a scheme which tries to steal money, personal information or data from a person or organisation. Scammers can target you via post, telephone, email, text message, a website or even a visit to your home. Some examples of scams are:

• Adverts offering ‘Get Rich Quick’ schemes
• Phone calls, emails or text messages pretending to be from your bank, asking you to move your money or provide your personal details
• Emails which appear to be from a legitimate source, such as PayPal, Apple or Amazon
• Emails or automated calls pretending to be from a government department, commonly the Home Office or HM Revenue and Customs
• Fake websites selling event tickets or other goods

Trading Standards South West have produced a Student Scams Toolkit which provides a lot of top tips and information for avoiding a variety of scams aimed at new students. Their website covers topics such as Rental scams, Student Loan/Finance scams, Employment scams as well as Dating scams and Shopping/Product scams.

You can also find a list of scams which are currently targeting international students on the UCL website.

Travelling at Night | Students Union UCL

Travelling around London at night can seem quite daunting, especially if you’re new to the city. Please visit our dedicated webpage for information which may be useful to you.

Spiking | Students Union UCL

Spiking is when someone puts alcohol or drugs into another person's drink or body without their knowledge and consent. Whilst drink spiking is typically the most common, there has been a rise of reports in the last year of spiking by injection.

A person can be spiked to make them more vulnerable for a variety of reasons, including theft, sexual assault or as an attempted joke.

Being spiked can be a scary experience and it's important to be able to recognise the signs your drink has been spiked or how to help someone you suspect has been a victim.

Sexual Violence and Harassment | Students Union UCL

The Students’ Union works to create a safe, respectful and inclusive environment both on and off campus, and will do everything we can to support students affected by sexual violence as well as other unwanted and problematic behaviours.

If you have experienced sexual violence, it is your choice whether you want to take any further action and there is lots of support available to you.

Active Bystander Programme | Students Union UCL

The Active Bystander Programme aims to train UCL students to recognise and challenge problematic behaviours, such as bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct both on- and off-campus. The programme is part of our journey towards social and cultural change and compliments other initiatives across the Students' Union and UCL.

The programme was originally launched as part of the Full Stop Campaign, which called for the UCL community to come together and say no to bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct. We recognise that to prevent these behaviours, we must address them as a community in which each member can do their part to challenge bullying, harassment and sexual violence. A great way to start is by becoming an Active Bystander.

It is compulsory for all Union-affiliated clubs and societies to have a Welfare Officer position on their committee.

The core responsibilities of the Welfare Officer are to:

• Signpost members to wellbeing services.
• Help to make the activities of their club/society inclusive.
• Make sure their members are aware of their role.
• Promote an open environment to discuss and support positive mental health in their activities.

Please note that Welfare Officers are not expected to act as therapists, crisis workers, a 24/7 source of support, or be responsible for their members' health. Ultimately, the role of the Welfare Officer is not to counsel members, but to signpost them to the appropriate services.

The Union also has a Welfare Fund, which your Welfare Officer can apply for (using our grant application form) to support new activities that meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Raise awareness and support positive mental health.
• Improve student wellbeing.
• Support societies to deliver new physical activity initiatives.
• Promote an inclusive environment.
• Outreach to underrepresented student groups.

You're not alone in running your club/society, and we have dedicated Student Activities Team staff available to support you with any queries or concerns you may have. 

We can also support you with a development meeting to address specific issues, create goals for your club/society, and find innovative ways to grow your activities.

Please reach out to us if you'd like to speak to a member of our team:

• Arts Societies: artsucl@ucl.ac.uk
• Sports Clubs: teamucl@ucl.ac.uk
• Societies: su.activities@ucl.ac.uk 
   

Officers and representatives | Students Union UCL

The Union is led by students like you. It means you have the power to change the Union and what it believes in. Help shape the Union by submitting your ideas for change!

Ideas can be submitted to one of three Policy Zones: Activities, Education or Welfare & Community. A Policy Zone consists of a group of students who meet regularly and discusses student issues and ideas on related topics. We’ll help make your idea happen. If your idea affects multiple zones or you feel it should be discussed by all students, you may wish to consider calling for a referendum.

You can also ask your elected officers questions throughout the year primarily by: 

1. Emailing them directly: On our website you can find the contact details for Academic Reps and Part-Time Student Officers.

2. Attending an open student meeting: Each Zone Meeting will have time on the agenda to question officers. 

3. You may also fill in our question form.

Cindex is the Camden Library Services database of over 6000 local organizations and services.

Mental Health Camden has information about local health and wellbeing support services in Camden.

Wellbeing Connect has a directory of services (NHS and helplines) for London students.

Camden Routes Off the Streets has a directory of local support services related to domestic abuse, homelessness, housing, refugees and asylum, and more.

Mind in Camden provides local support and advice related to mental health needs.

Camden Crisis Sanctuary offers face-to-face, telephone, and online support to Camden residents every evening and weekend, 5:00pm to 10:30pm, with no referral required.

Citizens Advice provides information on your rights, including benefits, housing, family matters and employment, and on debt, consumer and legal issues.

Contact:

• Adviceline (England): 0800 144 8848
• Adviceline (Wales): 0800 702 2020

Nightline is an out-of-hours listening service for students. Their advisers are students themselves who have had extensive training to help them support their peers. You can speak to someone from Nightline over the phone every night of term from 6pm to 8am. They also offer support online, through text and through email.

Contact:

• Phone: 0207 631 0101
• Email: listening@london.nightline.ac.uk
• Online Chat: https://portal.nightline.ac.uk/im/london-IM 

Papyrus provides immediate support for under 35s with thoughts about suicide, or for those concerned about a young person.

Contact:

• Phone: 0800 068 4141
• Text: 88247

Samaritans is a charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland. They have a free 24-hour phone line on 116 123. You can visit their website for more information.

Contact:

• Phone: 116 123
• Email: jo@samaritans.org
• Visit (Nearest Branch): 13 Salisbury Place, London W1H 1FJ

Mind is the UK's mental health charity. Mind provides a wide range of resources and guidance for those wanting to explore mindfulness, how to practice it and how it can help with mental health problems. They have information on anxiety, panic attacks, depression, mindfulness, self-harm, sleep problems & stress.

Contact:

• Phone (Infoline): 0300 123 3393
• Phone (Support line): 0300 102 1234
• Email: info@mind.org.uk 

CALM is a charity leading a movement against male suicide, the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK. Their helpline is for men in the UK who need to talk or find information and support. They're open 5pm to midnight, 365 days a year. 

Contact:

• Phone: 0800 58 58 58
• Online chat: https://www.thecalmzone.net/suicide-prevention-helpline#open-chatbot
• Whatsapp: https://wa.me/442045876634 

The Havens are specialist centres in London for people who have been raped or sexually assaulted.

Contact:

• Phone: 020 3299 6900

Rape Crisis England & Wales is the feminist charity working to end child sexual abuse, rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and all other forms of sexual violence.

Contact:

• Phone: 0808 500 2222
• Online chat: https://247sexualabusesupport.org.uk/ 

Hub of Hope is the UK’s leading mental health support database, in the form of an app. It is provided by national mental health charity, Chasing the Stigma, and brings local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support and services together in one place for the first time.