Helpful Welfare Links

ADVICE SERVICES

QMU Student Services
Provides health, counseling, job and careers support to QMU students
www.qmu.ac.uk/prospective_students/student_services/default.htm

Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
The CAB online service offers advice on your rights and responsibilities.
www.adviceguide.org.uk/scotland.htm

Skill Scotland
National bureau for students with disabilities providing information and advice and volunteering opportunities
www.skill.org.uk

HOUSING AND COUNCIL TAX

Edinburgh Landlord Accreditation
The national database providing the list of all accredited landlords in Edinburgh. www.edinburghlandlordaccreditation.co.uk

Shelter Scotland
Shelter Scotland provides housing advice and developed an online student guide
http://scotland.shelter.org.uk/

Landlord Registration Scotland
The national database providing the list of all accredited landlords in Edinburgh
www.landlordregistrationscotland.gov.uk

Accommodation Services
The service provides accommodation on campus
www.qmu.ac.uk/services/student_accommodation.htm

FINANCES – Tax, Benefits and Funding

Child Poverty Action Group
The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) produces regular guides on tax credits and benefits for students.
http://scottishhandbooks.cpag.org.uk/

Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs
Information on tax credit
www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits

SAAS
Responsible for managing higher education student support payments.
www.saas.gov.uk

Student Loan Company
Information on repayment of Student Loans.
www.slc.co.uk

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

UKCISA
General Advice for international students
www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/immigration.php

UKVISA
Information on how to apply for a Tier-4 visa
www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf29pbsstudent

UKBA
Home office guidance form for Tier 4 Immigration
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk

HOME OFFICE
The Home Office provides information and guidance on all matters relating to visiting the UK.
www.homeoffice.gov.uk

IMMIGRATION ADVISORY SERVICE
Confidential advice and representation in immigration, asylum and nationality law.
www.iasuk.org

 
HEALTH

NHS 24
Comprehensive up-to-date health information and self care advice for people in Scotland.
www.nhs24.com

Samaritans
Confidential non-judgemental support, 24 hours a day for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide
www.samaritans.org
08457 90 90 90
jo@samaritans.org

Edinburgh Nightline
An anonymous and confidential support & information service run by students, for students.
www.ednightline.com
0131 557 4444
nightline@ed.ac.uk

Breathing Space Scotland
Confidential telephone line for people to call when they are feeling down or distressed.
Tel: 0800 83 85 87
www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk  

Depression Alliance Scotland
Provide those affected by depression information, support, understanding and care needed.
www.dascot.org
0845 123 23 20
info@dascot.org

Mood Juice
Provide self-help resources, information and advice to those experiencing troublesome thought, feelings and actions.
www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk

Living Life to the Full
A Scottish interactive site for depression and anxiety where users can access cognitive behaviour therapy treatments online
www.livinglifetothefull.com

Alcohol Focus Scotland
National Charity providing information on alcohol issues
www.alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk

Drinkaware
Provides consumers with information to make informed decisions about the effects of alcohol on their lives and lifestyles.
www.drinkaware.co.uk

The Site
Website providing to young people information on sex and relationships; drinking and drugs; work and study; housing, legal and finances; and health and wellbeing.
www.thesite.org

Down your Drink
Designed to find out how much you drink and what you can do to decrease your drinks
www.downyourdrink.org.uk 

National Drugs Helpline (Frank)
Helpline offering advice, information and support to anyone concerned about drugs.
www.talktofrank.com
0800 77 66 00 (helpline)
frank@talktofrank.com

Know the Score
A free and confidential drugs information and advice line
www.knowthescore.info
0800 587 5879

Crew 2000
Provide information on dangers in using drugs and support services
www.crew2000.org.uk
0131 220 3404

Mental Health Advice

Depression, Stress, Eating Disorder, Phobia, Panic Attack,…Mental illness is a growing issue amongst the student body. Student life is a major change in life and you may face unpleasant challenges. Mental illness may affect you or a friend but also a relative.

The causes of mental illness are multiple (lifestyle change, financial issues, relationship break up, bereavement, flat issues, health problems, academic pressure) and everyone experience in mental illness is different.

There is not “miracle cure” but with help and support people do recover from mental illness.

You will find bellow a list of organisations that provide help line support, self help guidance and opportunities to get involved in the community to break the stigma around mental health.

Help Line

• Samaritans – 08457 90 90 90 www.edinburghsamaritans.org

Samaritans are available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide. Samaritans is not a religious or a political organisation. It does not make judgments and it does not offer advice. Instead, Samaritans believe in the value of having time and space to explore difficult feelings. Samaritans also believe that being listened to in confidence, and accepted without prejudice, can alleviate despair and suicidal feelings.

• Breathing Space – 0800 83 85 87 www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk

Breathing Space is a free and confidential phoneline service for any individual, who is experiencing low mood or depression, or who is unusually worried and in need of someone to talk to. Breathing Space specifically, but not exclusively targets young men who are experiencing difficulties and unhappiness in their lives, family members and friends who are concerned about their wellbeing. The focus is to provide skilled assistance at an early stage and prevent problems escalating. Breathing Space is staffed by trained specialist advisors who have the relevant experience required to assist callers with their problems.
The phoneline is open 24 hours at weekends (6pm Friday – 6am Monday) and from 6pm to 2am on weekdays (Monday – Thursday).

• Saneline – 0845 767 80000 www.sane.org.uk

SANE exists to provide emotional support and information to anyone affected by mental illness including family, friends and carers. Services are completely confidential and whatever your problems or concerns, you will receive non- judgemental emotional support. Professional staff and highly trained volunteers have specialist mental health knowledge; and can help you consider options for support or action that address your individual circumstances.
Servicea are open every day of the year from 6pm to 11pm.
• Edinburgh Nightline – 0131 557 4444 www.ednightline.com
Nightline is an anonymous and confidential support & information service run specially for students in Edinburgh. You can call 0131 557 4444 any night of term between 8pm and 8am to talk to a trained volunteer about any issue, however big or small. You can also chat to Nightline online.

• Dascot – 0845 123 23 20 or 0131 467 3050 www.dascot.org

Dascot information service offers support and information on depression to individuals, their families and friends and professionals working with people who have depression. The service is confidential and can be anonymous: you do not have to give your name if you prefer and we have removed the technology to be able to trace your call. Dascot can send out free information packs and other information to people with Depression, their friends and family. Calls are kept confidential, and Dascot does not tell anyone about it, except for certain instances including threats of terrorism or serious risk to other people where we have legal obligations. The DAS support services have limited opening hours and is not a crisis service.

Online Self Help

• Look Ok, Feel Crap www.lookokfeelcrap.org

Look OK…Feel Crap? is a campaign run by Depression Alliance Scotland (DAS) to raise awareness of low mood and depression among young adults living in Scotland and to encourage them to seek help. Their website offers online support such as self help guide, or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and plenty of useful resources. It also provides contact details to join self help support group in Edinburgh
• Living life to the full www.livinglifetothefull.com

Living life to the full is a free online course to help you overcome common problems seen in low mood such as unhelpful thinking, feeling overwhelmed and not sleeping. The interactive course is accessible online and can be completed by regular telephone sessions to support and encourage you. You will also access handouts, material and video clip.

• Health in Mind www.health-in-mind.org.uk

Health in Mind promotes positive mental health and wellbeing in Scotland, delivering a unique mix of services and working in partnership with others. Health in Mind provides self help guidance, support, respite and befriending services, as well as day services and counselling/talking therapies – face to face and on the telephone. So when you buy into our services, you’re also getting access to a wealth of understanding and skill around mental health and wellbeing.

• Ed Space www.edspace.org.uk

Ed Space provides an online information services to signpost people to appropriate mental health services in Edinburgh, to enable people to make informed choices in their treatment and care, inform people of factors influencing positive mental health and wellbeing and enable people to access services and information which may be of benefit to them or someone they support. Information is for people experiencing mental health difficulties, carers, family and friends, professional across sectors and anyone with an interest in mental health and wellbeing
• Mood Juice www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk

The site is designed to offer information, advice to those experiencing troublesome thoughts, feelings and actions. From the site you are able to print off various self-help guides covering conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress, panic and sleep problems. In the site an individual can explore various aspects of life that may cause some distress and on the press of a button can obtain information on organisations, services and other self-help materials such as Self-help guides, that can offer advice, support and information.

• Student Depression www.studentdepression.org

This site offers UK students comprehensive information and well-researched discussion about a wide range of perspectives on depression to better understand it. It offers self help strategies and how to get further support and help. The site has been developed in consultation with students who have been affected by depression, low mood or suicidal thoughts. Many of their stories and suggestions are included on the site. The individual site user should choose what strategies are useful for his or her own circumstances. The suggestions given on this site must not be seen as a substitute for professional help.

Go active and break the stigma around mental health

Most of the organizations mentioned above offer volunteering opportunities to help people with mental health issues or to campaign to break the stigma around mental health.

You can also get involved with See Me www.seemescotland.org.uk , a national anti-stigma mental health campaign.

Health

Student life comes with many new freedoms and experiences and student culture is commonly associated with drugs, alcohol and sex.

While most students don’t do drugs, we all know sex and alcohol can sometimes lighten the mood. However, taking drugs, drinking alcohol and having sex is not without risk. It’s important to be aware of those risks and to behave responsibly.

It’s not our role as a Students’ Union to tell you what’s right or wrong, but we are here to provide you with information and support so that you don’t damage your health.

The following booklets provide information on risks and advice to protect yourself.

Click the image to download the booklet:

First time away from home, cultural and lifestyle changes, academic pressure, issues with your flat mates, financial difficulties…Student life is full of new challenges and you may find it very stressful. It may also make you feel down or depressed.

If that’s the case don’t keep it to yourself; there are people around to help you.

You can find further information on how to deal with stress and depression with the Stress and Low Mood booklet below:

Housing

Most Freshers live in Halls which makes life a bit easier regarding accommodation issues.

You can find all the information needed regarding Halls of Residence here

When it comes to moving to a flat outside campus, things may seem to be a bit more complicated.

Finding the perfect flat can be a real “hunt”. You have to think about who you want to live with, where you want to live, where to look for a flat, and many more administrative stuff when you are moving in.

And after you’ve moved in, you may face issues with your flat mates or your landlord.

The Students’ Union is here to help you deal with accommodation issues. You can contact the Welfare and Representation Coordinator if you need advice.

For more information, you can also look at our booklets on flat hunting and housing rights.

Click the images to download the booklets:

Disciplinaries

As a student of QMU, you are under QMU regulation regarding your studies and your conduct.

You are expected not to make any interference with the functioning or activities of the University and of people who work or study in the University.

You must not undertake any action that damages the University reputation.

Click here to view Diciplinaries Booklet

Regulation covers misconducts that occur within and outside the University such as:

• violent, indecent, intimidating or offensive behaviour or language
• sexual or racial harassment
• fraud, deceit, deception or dishonesty
• cheating or plagiarism in course work or in examinations
• theft or misuse of University property and premises or University members’ property
• damage to University property or University members’ property
• breach of any University code, rule or regulation
• failure to respect others’ freedom of belief or speech
• disruption with the academic, administrative, sporting, social or other activities of the university
• improper interference with the function, duties or activities of anyone in QMU

If you breach the rules, you may be involved in a disciplinary procedure and as a consequence you might be suspended or expelled from your studies at QMU.

If you are invited to a disciplinary meeting don’t panic, The Students’ Union can support and advise you in the procedure.

Please note that The Students’ Union cannot advocate on your behalf but can represent you at meetings to ensure you are treated fairly..

“For more information consult our booklet or contact the Welfare and Representation Coordinator, Cecile Guilloteau “

C Card

C CARD is a service provided by NHS Lothian which offers free condoms. Any QMU students can access the C Card service in The Students’ Union.

The service is free and confidential. You don’t even need to give your name. All you need to do is to come to register in The Welfare Point. You will only be asked your date of birth and the first part of your post code. This information is for records and monitoring purposes.

Once you are registered, you will receive a card which will allow you to get free condoms when you need them just by showing your card.

You can access the service Monday to Friday 9.00 am -5.00 pm at your Students’ Union

Campaigns

The Welfare Point organizes diverse welfare campaigns to raise awareness on student health and well being.

Campaigns are run by the Advice, Support and Equalities Officer  with the help of the Welfare and Representation Coordinator and the Student President. Welfare volunteers meet every week to set up plans for forthcoming campaigns.

2011-2012 will focus on 2 big campaigns:

Safety (in November): fire safety, road safety, personal safety, self defense: All you need to know to keep you safe.

Health (in March): sport, sexual health, mental health and well being: Have a healthy life style with Spring on its way.

Welfare volunteers are welcome to bring their ideas and to run the campaign of their choice!

More campaigns to come with:

The RAG team: organising events and fundraising for charities.

Student Parliament: making change happen to your university life (Wednesday afternoons free/ assessments’ feedback/ fair-trade university and more)

To join the Welfare Volunteers team or for more information on RAG and Student Parliament contact the Welfare and Representation Coordinator, Cecile Guilloteau on cguilloteau@qmu.ac.uk

Academic Appeals and Complaints

Facing academic issues?
Need to appeal your results?
Unhappy with your university experience?
The Welfare Point can offer you guidance on how to submit claim for extenuating circumstances, an academic appeals and support you to resolve any complaints.

Don’t let an issue get worse!
If you are facing personal difficulties beyond your control and it’s affecting your performance in your studies, you can submit extenuating circumstances so that you don’t have to appeal at the end of the year. Click the image below to download the relevant info leaflet:

NEW EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES LEAFLET
Do you need to submit an academic appeal or a complaint? Have a look at our booklets to have more information:

NEW ACADEMIC APPEAL LEAFLET
NEW COMPLAINT LEAFLET
If you need help, Cecile Guilloteau, The Welfare and Representation Coordinator or the Student President will listen to your concerns and reasons for appealing and will outline any rules and regulations in regards to the relevant process.

You can come in to The Students’ Union to talk to the The Welfare and Representation Coordinator or the Student President. If they are not in, drop us an e-mail to make an appointment.
Please note that The Students’ Union cannot advocate on your behalf but can represent you in meetings with university staff to ensure the best outcome to your problem.

Welfare Advice

Student life is full of excitement and new challenges but sometimes it can become difficult to deal with your studies, your job and personal life all at once.

The Welfare Point is here to support you in your student life.

Accommodation, drugs, alcohol, finances, health, personal worries. Whatever the issue is The Welfare Point is here to provide you with help and advice on any issue you may face when studying at Queen Margaret University.

For a start, you can have a look at health and housing information available on the website. Links to welfare services are also available on the Links page or in our Student Service Directory. To download the directory click the image below:

Come along to The Student’s Union where there are plenty of leaflets that you can pick up both downstairs in the bar and upstairs in the SU office.

Need to speak to someone?

Cecile Guilloteau, The Welfare and Representation Coordinator is here to listen to you and help you to solve issues. If she can’t help you, you will be signposted to the relevant service(s) within Queen Margaret University and outside the campus in Edinburgh and Musselburgh.

You can come in at any time to discuss any issue. If The Welfare and Representation Coordinator is not here, you can speak to the Student President or drop an e-mail and you will get an appointment as soon as possible.

Need to talk to someone about any issues after day time? Call Edinburgh Nightline

Nightline is an anonymous and confidential support & information service run especially for students in and around Edinburgh.

You can call 0131 557 4444 8pm-8am or go to www.ednightline.com from 8pm-midnight any night of term to talk to a trained volunteer about any issue, however big or small.

Their volunteers are here to listen to anything that is on your mind, or they can provide information on a wide range of topics (from cinema times to sexual health clinics).

Edinburgh Nightline are not here to judge, or to tell you what to do; they are just here to listen.