Welfare & Wellbeing

 

We understand that starting at college is a big step and can feel overwhelming, which is totally normal! We have lots of ways of supporting students at Long Road as your welfare and wellbeing is our highest priority.

Our Student Care, Guidance and Progression team includes a team of trained Designated Safeguarding leads, a Wellbeing co-ordinator, a college counsellor, all of whom can support you in college, or we can signpost students to appropriate external therapeutic and counselling services where needed. We run regular Wellbeing Events for all students which may include yoga, art activities, mindfulness and even cuddling a therapy dog! We also offer the C-card scheme and free sanitary products.

Detailed on this page are a range of resources to support your wellbeing, including support we can offer you at college and support you can access at home. For further resources please download a copy of our Long Road Safeguarding and Student Wellbeing Guide, which you can find at the bottom of this page. 

Health Assured: 24/7 free, confidential wellbeing support - call 0800 028 3766

Health Assured counsellors provide emotional support and practical guidance to students around concerns such as home life and physical and emotional health. They can also help with legal advice for practical concerns such as tenancy or housing concerns. This is a confidential service and the information you discuss is not routinely provided to the college unless your health, wellbeing or welfare is judged to be at imminent risk.

This support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year via telephone or online chat with a counsellor.

You can also download the ‘My Healthy Advantage’ app with some great self-help tools for managing your wellbeing. Register on the website with specific login details below:

Book a wellbeing appointment today!

Lisa Verrier is the Student Wellbeing and Engagement Coordinator based in C4, near Academic Support. She can offer one-to-one support for students who are experiencing personal challenges such as mental health issues, stress, problems with relationships, health concerns, welfare issues: anything that might be impacting their college experience. Students will be encouraged to look at techniques to help them manage these challenges and be signposted towards other appropriate support.

 Click here to book a one-to-one Wellbeing appointment. Choose your preferred available time slot, enter your name, college email address and mobile number. Your booking will not be visible to other students.

Wellbeing Activities

We have a varied programme of wellbeing activities on offer throughout the year including active sessions, creative ones, therapy dogs and opportunities to learn a new skill. These will focus on the 5 Ways to Wellbeing which are simple steps that we can do every day to help improve our ability to manage when feeling stressed and overwhelmed.

Students will also be offered small group activities to help them explore techniques for managing a variety of challenges such as generalised anxiety, social anxiety, caring responsibilities, and bereavement. Sometimes we may use creative activities or meet in a quiet space outside to deliver these sessions for an immediate boost to wellbeing!

Long Road Counselling Service

If you have more complex or ongoing mental health needs, we offer a counselling service available at the college. Please email counsellors@longroad.ac.uk to request an appointment.

Retreat Room

D119 (upper D Block) is a quiet room that offers a space for reflection or prayer. If you would like to use to Retreat Room please visit Reception to collect the key.

Health & Wellbeing Support outside of college

We understand that not all worries happen during term time and the college day, and that some young people feel more comfortable seeking support outside of college. Below are some links to useful resources offering information, safety advice and strategies. 


First Response Service - 111 and choose option 2.

If you are scared about harming yourself or feel you ar serious risk to yourself you can call 111 - and choose option 2. A Mental Health Professional will assess your situation and will provide you with information on what to do or where to go. You can call this number even if you have no credit on your phone. It is entirely free and is available 24/7, 365 days a year.

This is the first response service and is for anyone, of any age, living in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Specially trained mental health staff will speak to you and discuss your mental health care needs, instead of you having to go to the A&E department of your local hospital. 


SHOUT 85258

Shout is a digital service providing free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support for young people in the UK experiencing a mental health crisis. All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors.

Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.

Texts can be anonymous, but if the volunteer believes you are at immediate risk of harm, they may share your details with people who can provide support.

If you are in crisis and need help, text SHOUT to 85258.


Young Minds 

Young Minds is a UK charity who want to see a world where no young person feels alone with their mental health, and all young people get the mental health support they need, when they need it, no matter what.

They have a wide range of resources available which are designed to help you understand how you are feeling and how to reach out for help. Please click here to visit the Young Minds website.


Samaritans - 116 123

The Samaritans offer confidential support by trained volunteers that are available all day, every day. If you need help urgently it is best to call their free helpline: 116 123 or the national helpline 08457 90 90 90. 24 hrs a day, 365 days a year.


Papyrus Hopeline

Papyrus offers confidential advice and support for young people struggling with suicidal thoughts, as well as family and friends; and information about how to make a safety plan.

Their Hopeline service is available (24/7, 365 days) to anybody under the age of 35 experiencing suicidal thoughts, or anybody concerned that a young person could be thinking of suicide. Call 0800 068 4141 or text 07860 039967 / 07860 039365


Childline - for young people aged up to 19 years old.

If you’re under 19 you can confidentially call (0800 1111), email or chat online about any problem, big or small. 

For more resources and support, click here to visit their website.


Domestic & Sexual Abuse Services

  • Cambridge Women’s Aid (City, East, South): 01223 361214, or live chat on their website.
  • Sexual Healthline (Over 18): 0300 123 7123
  • Worth Talking About (Under 18): 0300 123 2930
  • National Domestic Abuse helpline: 0808 2000247
  • Men’s Advice Line: 0808 801 0327
  • LGBT Helpline: 0800 999 5428
  • National Rape Crisis helpline: 0808 802 9999

Housing

Under 18

Social Care on 0345 045 5203 between 8am and 6pm Monday-Friday. If it is outside office hours, bank holidays or at the weekend, call the Emergency Duty Team on 01733 234 724.

Over 18

  • Cambridge City Council – 01223 457918 / Out of hours – 0844 335 3944
  • Jimmy’s Night Shelter (24/7) 01223 576085
  • Fenland District Council – 01354 654321 (all hours)
  • East Cambs District Council – 01353 665555 / Out of hours – 07710 978900
  • South Cambs District Council – 03450 450 051 / Out of hours – 01253 501117 / homelessness emergency: 01253 501117
  • Huntingdonshire District Council – 01480 388218 / Out of hours – 01480 434167
  • Peterborough City Council- 01733 864064 / Out of hours – 01733 864157

C-Card Scheme & Sanitary Products

C-Card

The C-Card is a scheme for young people to access free condoms and lube to improve sexual health.

When used correctly during sex, condoms are the only type of protection that help prevent both sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy. It’s easy to get free condoms and lube packs through the C-Card scheme if you’re aged between 13 - 24.

You can join the scheme to get a C-Card at the college or many youth organisations, pharmacies and GP surgeries, or online at www.icash.nhs.uk.

To use the C-Card scheme at college please visit the Helpdesk (in the Student Centre) or Reception and our Student Services team will be able to discreetly help you.


Sanitary Products

A range of free sanitary products are available in toilets across the college. Alternatively, you can visit the Helpdesk (in the Student Centre) or Reception and our friendly Student Services team will be able to discreetly help you.