Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity team
The Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity Service (SWIS) seeks to provide a professional and proactive guidance service for students within a healthy and inclusive environment in order to support our students to fulfil their potential.
Following the COVID-19 outbreak
We will continue to operate a remote Drop In service between the hours of 9.30am - 4pm, for those who need someone to talk to and/or support with their Mental Health, Wellbeing or Disability.
What we do
We promote positive wellbeing to students and work with staff to support the inclusivity of our organisation.
Support for students
- Mental health and emotional wellbeing including:
- access to an adviser through a drop-in service
- counselling
- referral to specialist services
- Residence Life student staff live in accommodation and offer, support, advice and signposting.
- Accessibility and disability support
- Supporting specific student groups, such as care leavers and estranged students
- Supporting survivors of sexual violence, harassment and hate crime
- Ensuring all students follow the Fitness to Study Policy and Procedure (pdf)
Support for staff
- Working across the University including department support for students
- Training sessions relating to key topics
Student wellbeing support and signposting
- What to do if you are concerned that a student may be at risk.
- What you can and can't do if you need to support or refer a distressed student.
- If a student has experienced sexual violence there is help available from the University.
- Tips for discussing sensitive matters with a student
- What to do when a student is thinking of leaving the University.
- Familiarise yourself with the procedure you need to follow if you are informed of a student death.
Supporting diverse student groups
- Supporting commuting students
- Joint degree students on issues including a sense of belonging and needing support from two departments
- LGBT students with issues such as misgendering, confusion from others regarding terminology and a perceived lack of LGBT role models at Essex.
- Mature students may have to balance a home and university life, have dependants or be returning from a break from education.
Supporting students with disabilities and long-term health conditions
It's important you ensure all students are able to access your course and materials, and that you meet the learning needs of students with disabilities.
- supporting students with autism or Asperger syndrome
- supporting students who are blind or visually impaired
- supporting students who are deaf or hearing impaired
- supporting students with dyslexia or specific learning difficulties
- supporting students who have medical conditions
- supporting students who have mental health difficulties
- supporting who have physical or mobility impairment
Supporting our staff and students
It is a difficult time for us all. Many of us will feel afraid. Many will also be dealing with very challenging situations, Unfortunately, religious services and gatherings are currently suspended at the University , but everyone connected with the Faith Centre wishes to continue to provide spiritual and pastoral support to students and staff during this period. We invite you to get in touch with us. We are here to help and support you. You don’t have to be religious or want to pray to ask for support from us. Find out where you can get support from out Faith Centre.
