Student Mentor Scheme (Guild of Students)

Moving Out? 📦

We know that there are still students in accommodation and Postgraduate Students continuing with their studies. So we’ll be visiting Jarratt Hall, providing FREE moving out boxes.

Come and see us between 11-1 to grab a box! You don’t need to live at Jarratt to get a box, you just need your student ID 🙂

We ran our last Wellbeing Café last week; thank you to everyone who has attended our Wellbeing Cafes this year. I hope you all had a lovely time!

This Wellbeing Café was to Celebrate you! And all your achievements this year however big or small.
We had pic N mix
Bracelet making,
Make your own certificate and collect your award.
Plenty of refreshments ☕️🍪
Arts and crafts 🎨
Visits from x3 Pets and Therapy dogs, Cedric, Benji and Teddy🐶
Games with friends 🎲

We've had a lot of fun meeting and chatting with you at our events this year!

Here's to many more next term 😁

☂️ Umbrella ☂️ will be at Pritchatts Park Reception from 4:30-7pm on Wednesday 5th June.
They will be providing free and confidential sexual health advice, information, contraception and self-testing kits 🧡

Come and celebrate Pride month with us at the Wellbeing Cafe! Your Student Mentors are hosting a vibrant and inclusive event filled with fun and creativity. 🌈

With Pride month in June and many celebrations taking place, we want to provide you with materials you need to create your own colourful and expressive banners.

Umbrella Sexual Health will be joining us to provide valuable information and resources. Learn more about sexual health and wellness in a safe and supportive environment.

Channel your inner artist with our craft activities. You can make bracelets and other keepsakes.

We will also have the Pets as Therapy Dogs joining our event. These friendly pups are here to provide affection and support, adding a touch of warmth to your day.

Plus, why not help yourself to some free sweets, we will have a small Pick n Mix station set up.

Your Student Mentors will be on hand to offer a listening ear. This space is intended to offer you a safe environment to talk about your experiences. Maybe you want to explore the liberation groups on offer at the Guild. We will be able to answer questions and signpost you.

This event is FREE , please bring along your Student ID card to check in.

🚨 Important Update 🚨

We’ve got some news about our event today. Unfortunately, we have to cancel it for now. 😔

BUT, don't worry! We’re not letting you miss out on the fun. We’re rescheduling the event for this Friday, [24th May]! Same time, same place! 🥳

We’re sorry for the change but we promise it’ll be worth the wait.

We'll be visiting your halls, providing FREE ice-creams and moving out boxes.

To help you with the transition of life in halls of residence, to life in the private rented community your Student Mentors and Community Wardens will be on hand to share their experience and answer any questions you have.

Postgrads don't worry - there's another event nearer to your move out date!

We're always happy to help! Here's one of our students sharing what he thinks of our support...

I came to Birmingham from Japan in September 2023. In the early days of my life here, especially from September to October, I felt so lonely because I am a PhD student, and I had no classes to take. I knew that people studying abroad would sometimes experience loneliness and I was thinking I could stand it. However, it was much more of a lonely time than I had expected. Also, I am sure that the beginning is important for making new friends, but most of the social events on campus had already finished when I realised it. Furthermore, most people in my accommodation were also first-year graduate students and it was difficult for us to get some “local” information at that time. One day, I saw a sticker of the Student Mentor Scheme on the fridge in my flat. I was surprised to know that the Student Mentors deal with a wide range of issues, and that encouraged me to contact the office by email to get more information about some events held on campus and about societies that I can join to meet more people. For non-native speakers of English like me, email might be the easiest way to communicate because we can take time to think about grammar and expressions to correctly convey our issues. That was the reason I started to contact the Student Mentor Office by email, and how I met Lucy. I received an email from her in October for the first time, which contained a lot of information about events which were going to take place on campus. Since then, she kindly sent me emails once or twice a month to let me know about the next events, and also to ask me whether I was doing fine or not. While I am doing my research, I do not have many chances to meet people on a daily basis except for my supervisor, because my research can be done only with my laptop and some documents. That’s why the continuous exchange of emails with Lucy helped me a lot to feel less lonely. Now I can say that I have been recovering from loneliness, and my sincere gratitude goes to Lucy, and to the roles of the Student Mentor Scheme!

🌞 Rise and shine! 🌞

We've got something special brewing to kickstart your mornings this May! 🌼 Join us for our Breakfast & Mindfulness Mornings designed to fuel your body and nourish your mind during exam season.

🍳 Enjoy FREE breakfast items to fuel your brain for a productive day ahead.
📚 Find a cosy space to relax, study, and focus on those exams.
🎨 Unwind with mindfulness colouring activities to destress and boost creativity.
💆‍♀️ Learn essential breathing techniques from your fellow student mentors to stay calm during this busy period.

Mark your calendars and prioritize your wellbeing alongside your studies. Let's make May a month of productivity, positivity, and self-care! See you there! 🌟

Looking to brighten someone's day during the intense exam season? 🌟

Know someone who's been a guiding light, a library buddy, or just an all-around incredible person during this stressful time? Let's celebrate them!

Nominate that special someone for a well-deserved academic gift to lift their spirits. 🎁 Simply fill out the form (https://www.guildofstudents.com/surveys/wbfairy/) by Wednesday 8th May @ 5:00pm

We'll discreetly deliver the gift to their flat along with a heartfelt note highlighting why they're appreciated. Your gesture will remain anonymous, unless you choose to include your name in the message.

Have any questions or need further assistance? 📨 Reach out to us at [email protected]. Let's spread some joy amidst the exam chaos!

🎉 Celebrating Wellbeing Café Success! 🎉

Over the past two months, our Wellbeing Cafés have been a hub of creativity and relaxation, with over 250 students attending!

Here's a snapshot of some of the creative, fun, and productive activities that students have enjoyed during our wellbeing events!

🎨 Crafty Creations: From DIY Revision Blackboards to dream catchers, pom poms, and wind chimes, students have loved having the chance to unleash their creative side!

📜 Poetry Corner: Our Poetry Machine provided a wonderful outlet for students’ self-expression.

🎶 Sound Baths: Students were able to let the relaxation flow with our rejuvenating sound baths!

🐾 Furry Friends: We've had some adorable visits from therapy dogs like Bertie 🐶, Cedric 🐾, Benji 🐕, Dolly 🐩, Shep 🐕, and Django 🐾. Their wagging tails brought smiles to all!

💼 Special Guests: And finally a big thank you to Umbrella and Worklink for visiting our events and offering a wide range of advice and resources for sexual health and job-finding!

And if you’re looking forward to more, our next Wellbeing Café will be a pride-themed event at the Duck on Scholar in Shackleton on the 23rd May! We look forward to seeing you there! 😊

☂️Umbrella☂️ will be at Shackleton Reception at the Vale until quarter to 7 tonight! Come along for free contraception, sexual health advice, and free STI test kits, get them before they're gone!

‼️‼️‼️ Attention all students living in UoB and Partner Accomodation ‼️‼️ ‼️ Nominations for the wellbeing fairy are now OPEN and they close tomorrow (Wed 08/05) at 5pm! If you know someone who's been working hard this exam season, has been there for you, needs a pick-me-up, or has just been all-round great person, this is the perfect way to show your appreciation! A link to the form for nominations are on our story NOW :)