We want to make sure your experience at university is a positive one. That’s why we work hard to promote good mental health.

We offer tips and advice – and have help available if you need extra support. Plus, we offer a host of free events throughout the year.

WELLBEING EVENTS

Throughout the year we offer events, information and advice to keep your mind and body healthy. We host well-being fairs and celebrate University Mental Health Day. Activities can include mindfulness sessions, free healthy shake sampling or maybe even a petting zoo!

We also carry out weekly social nights that have a well-being focus. Previous events have included pottery, adult colouring and plant growing.

HELPFUL DOCUMENTS AND SIGN-POSTING

When you move into CODE we'll give you printed material that aims to make your transition back to uni an easy one. 

This has included a simple gratitude journal and a traffic light system to help students check in with how they were feeling.

MENTAL HEALTH 'FIRST AIDERS'

Should you ever feel stressed, isolated or homesick you don’t have to suffer alone. You can chat to our mental health first aiders about the issues that are affecting you. Our staff have received expert training and are on hand to help you. 

SUPPORT GROUP

We want to support our students and have used both group classes and individual sessions to encourage positive wellbeing.

A qualified psychotherapist is employed by CODE Students for these sessions.

They are not formal counselling sessions but more a chance to talk through feelings. All residents have been given the chance to come along, listen to others and get some tips and support. 

We have also paid for 1-2-1 sessions, where students needed a little bit of extra help.

FREE GIFT GIVEAWAYS

We know sometimes all you need is a little pick-me-up! Which is why we regularly drop off free gifts just to make you smile. These could be anything from a fun game to a food themed goodie bag.

WELFARE CHECKS

We operate regular well-being checks for those that are finding things difficult, sometimes that's a daily call and others a weekly email. 

We also work with the university mental health teams on a number of individual cases, helping to ensure the safety and well-being of those with greater needs.

EFFORTS DURING LOCKDOWN

When lockdown began in March 2020, we knew that the impact on the physical and well-being of our students could be immense if we did not put the right measures in place.

So we immediately turned our efforts into maintaining the well-being of everyone, and have continued this since. This has included:

• providing a shopping service for self-isolating and vulnerable students
• dropping postcards through our residents doors to check they were okay
• a gift delivery service, making safe drop offs. These fun items, such as Easter eggs, art kits, games, food and drink, were a great way to  boost morale.

There was an overwhelming response from our students, with many of them telling us we made a significant difference to their mental health.

“The weekly emails to check up on residents are very good. Also, the staff leave wonderful notes and snacks at your door which certainly boosts your spirits. They have also moved to stream workouts and yoga on Facebook lives."

"The staff make trips to people's rooms and provide small gifts and leaflets saying they are their for us, with information about help!"

Our efforts were also highlighted in the Global Student Living webinar “Student Accommodation through Lockdown”. The insight company had looked at thousands of students’ responses to the National Student Housing Survey and highlighted our care during the pandemic as making a real difference to students.