It's become important to do all we can to stop the spread of Covid-19. So at CODE we are doing our bit to help control Coronavirus. 

We're also helping our residents with their mental health and wellbeing during these difficult times.

Covid safety

Our accommodation consists of self-contained studio flats – and not clusters with shared kitchens/ lounge – so it’s easier to adhere to social distancing rules. But we have still put in a number of measures to keep everyone safe. This includes:

• Making our offices safe by limiting numbers and installing Perspex screens.
• Making sure high traffic areas, such as our gates and doorways, are cleaned regularly to decrease transmission risks.
• Ensuring we take all reasonable steps in maintaining a 2m distance throughout the site.
• Informing and enforcing staff and residents wearing masks throughout the site.
• Displaying advice signs in high traffic areas, including encouraging frequent hand-washing and advising residents on how to use lifts safely.
• Sending regular emails to students, updating them on key information and Government advice.
• Covid-safety information in our induction information and web pages.

Looking after your mental health

We are confident that any student who is living with us can still have a great experience. We've learnt new ways to protect the physical and mental health of our students.

The response from our students has been overwhelming, with many of them telling us how 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.

Health and well-being measures

We’ve put lots of measures in place including:

• Going ‘above and beyond’ for anyone who needed help and this has included providing a shopping service for self-isolating and vulnerable students
• Additional support for those self-isolating or who have reported a positive test, such as making sure they are well and have the supplies they need.
• Online HIIT and CORE/Boxercise workouts and yoga lessons. Join our Facebook page to join live or re-watch previous classes.
• Switching key activities online – offering things like bingo and fun quizzes.
• Providing special meditation classes which are led by Buddhists and made especially for CODE 
• Organising support groups to share and learn tips for positive wellbeing.
• Providing Covid-safe events, such as 'Rule of 6' Speed Socials and movie nights, when Government restrictions/Tiers allow.
• Holding free healthy food giveaways, where students can safely collect food from us without leaving the complex.
• Setting up a 'wellness' library where residents can borrow a self-help or improvement book, in a Covid-safe way. 

One student added: “This is understandably a new thing for everyone, so I had low expectations but the online mindfulness classes and email communication was a pleasant and welcome surprise.”