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Open Events 2024 Student Support
Our student support team are on hand to help you throughout your time at college. You can access all our services through the helpdesk which is open from 8am until 4pm every day during term time.
Is it still possible to talk to someone at College about how I’m feeling and any worries that I may have?
Yes, of course. Do remember that your Personal Tutor, Lead Tutor, the Safeguarding Lead (Sarah MacKenzie) and the Medical Welfare Officer (Aimie Chatfield) can be contacted via email and we can telephone you or arrange a Teams meeting if you need to talk. Our counselling service is operating via telephone appointments and we can still make referrals to them or you can self-refer via counselling@kedst.ac.uk
Who do I contact if I have a safeguarding concern about myself or someone else?
Talk to your Personal or Lead Tutor and email safeguarding@kedst.ac.uk
You can also contact your local authority or the NSPCC:
What do I do if I need to speak to someone about my mental health?
Please email your Personal or Lead Tutor. Alternatively, you can email the following staff:
Safeguarding Lead: safeguarding@kedst.ac.uk
Medical Welfare Officer: aimie.chatfield@kedst.ac.uk
In addition, a list of organisations who can help are listed below in the ‘support during holidays’ question.
What if I need support during holidays, evenings or weekends?
Here is a list of external organisations who can help:
Mental Health
Samaritans
Telephone: 116 123 (free)
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Website: www.samaritans.org
WYSA
WYSA gives instant access to an artificial intelligence (AI) coach to discuss challenging problems and issues in a confidential manner. It’s NHS approved and completely FREE. Download the app in your app store.
Hope Line
Telephone: 0800 068 41 41
Text: 07786209697
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
KOOTH
Online counselling for a variety of issues including mental health, abuse, eating disorders, relationships, bullying etc.
Website: www.kooth.com
Young Minds
Including advice on what to do if you are anxious about coronavirus and looking after your mental health if you are self-isolating); crisis messenger (free 24 hour support): text YM to 85258
Website: www.youngminds.org.uk
NHS
Telephone: 111 Option 2
Child Line
Telephone: 0800 1111
Website: www.childline.org.uk
Confidential Drugs Advice and Support
Talk to Frank (24/7 support)
Telephone 0300 123 6600
Text: 82111
Email frank@talktofrank.com (2pm to 6pm)
Website: www.talktofrank.com
Eating Disorders
Beat
Telephone: 0808 801 0677 Monday to Friday 15.00 – 20.00
Website: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/
Sexual Health or Sexual Assault Help
Sexual Health including contraception advice
Brook
Website www.brook.org.uk
Sexual Assault Referral Centre
Horizon
Telephone 0808 168 5698
Website: horizonsarc.org.uk
Supportive Online Community
Side by Side (Mind)
Website: sidebyside.mind.org.uk
Bereavement
Cruse
Email helpline@cruse.org.uk
Website: www.cruse.org.uk
Specialist bereavement helpline: 0808 808 1677 (Monday – Friday 9.30am – 5pm;
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 9.30am – 8pm; weekends 10am – 2pm)
You can also find additional support here
