TrentChat

Hi guys,
I know our posts have been far and few between, we’re hopefully planning on coming back soon and being more active once we’ve settled into third year routine. I know the current situation is rather scary for women/female presenting people right now so I’m just sharing this message from Nottinghamshire Police to make you all aware that they are trying their best to stop this.
Please stay safe out there and if you or anyone you’re with suspect you’ve been spiked please seek help!
We are always here to help 🖤

UPDATE - Joint approach to tackle reports of spiking

Police and partner agencies have joined together to investigate a recent spate of spiking reports.

Nottinghamshire Police have teamed up with partner agencies to help tackle and reassure the local community that any reports of spiking are being robustly investigated and taken seriously.

The force has received 44 spiking reports dating from 4 September 2021. 12 of these have alleged spiking by something sharp as opposed to a traditional method of contaminated alcoholic drinks. The first of these 12 were reported on 2 October 2021.

These figures have increased throughout October with the largest number of reports being made last weekend (15 October).

Reported offences have taken place on different days at different venues and are not believed to be targeted to one specific city venue.

While the majority of reports being made to officers are from younger women, many of whom are students, there have also been reports of young men being potentially spiked too.

A number of victims reporting being spiked by some sort of injection have reported effects consistent with a substance being administered.

In one case an injury has also been sustained which could be consistent with a needle.

However, there have been no other linked offences committed as a result of anyone being spiked.

A 20-year-old man was arrested as part of a wider investigation into spiking after officers received a report of suspicious activity in Lower Parliament Street, Nottingham city centre, on 16 October. He remains on conditional bail and enquiries are continuing.

Nottinghamshire police have held meetings with their partner agencies including, the University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham City Council, East Midlands Ambulance Service, Public Health and hospital trusts in order to develop the response to these incidents.

More officers have been deployed to the city centre over the next few weekends. A dedicated team of Detectives are investigating these allegations.

A planned operation with the forces police dogs is also due to take place on Saturday (23 October) with officers patrolling the city centre streets and engaging with people enjoying a night out.

Operation Guardian is now well established in the city centre and across other parts of Nottinghamshire and is highly successful in tackling drugs and reducing violence which is often associated with drug use and dealing in the night time economy.

Superintendent Kathryn Craner, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We are working really closely with our partner agencies throughout Nottinghamshire and have met as recently as today.

“I would like to reassure people we are working incredibly hard to investigate these reports and are placing a lot of resources into these enquiries and also have a dedicated team of detectives working on any reports made to us.

“Nottingham is a wonderful city and a vibrant place to come for a night out and we want people to experience the great night time economy that we have to offer not only to local people but also visitors from other areas.

“I understand that these reports and those from other cities are concerning but want to reassure people that we have been working with our partner agencies and licensed premises throughout the city to help tackle any reports of spiking.

“By taking a multi-agency approach and coming together to work on these reports we are able to use a vast amount of resources.

“As has been said, not only do we have a team dedicated to the investigation of these reports but members of the public can also expect to see many more officers patrolling the city centre during the night time economy.

“This is all designed to ensure that our local venues and people on a night out feel safe.

“On top of the extra officers working in the city this weekend we will also have an operation guardian running on Saturday as planned.

“This particular tactic is tried and tested and is all about removing drugs and people in possession of drugs from our city centre.

“It is vital that we investigate any reports as quickly as possible which means being able to secure evidence really quickly.

“This gives us the best chance of being able to progress our investigations.

“One of the really important messages for anybody coming into our city centre is that we need you or your friends to report any incident as soon as possible.

“If you believe you have been spiked, feel you have been spiked, suspect anybody else has been spiked or see any suspicious activity we need you to report that immediately.

“There will be lots of officers in the city centre for you to report any concerns to but also we have trained employees at majority of the venues in the city who you will be able to speak to as well.

“These employees will know what to do and how to get that report to us.

“I cannot overstate the importance of reporting as quickly as possible."

There is endless opportunity and discovery out there in the world; what you choose to do with your life is your choice and within your control. Although we may not be able to control other’s thoughts and feelings, we can control how we deal with those things and what we choose to do about it.

Happy Pride Month!!! here’s our simple guide to pronouns, including neopronouns.

🌈

We all grow, learn and create at different paces. Just because you don’t finish something, learn something or achieve something at the same time as others you know, it doesn’t mean you’re unworthy or that you’ve failed. We all grow at different paces. This is your journey. 🤍

Sometimes, the world and its fast pace can make us feel overwhelmed and anxious. We may need some time to focus on ourself and what our body needs in the moment.

The TrentChat team are excited to get back to posting instagram content and raising awareness of mental health and supporting wellbeing. We have been busy working on our assignments and exams for university, however, we are ready to show you all the amazing work our volunteers have been doing! Thank you, each and every one of you, for your constant support and love. It means the world.

We are always here if you are struggling. You matter. You are strong.

We understand that things can become overwhelming and you might be feeling under a lot of pressure. It is okay to rest, to regain energy and to give yourself time. We are only human and cannot be working 24/7; you do not want to burn out. Be patient with yourself and listen to your body.

Sometimes we need to take a moment and de-centre ourselves from a situation to realise how we are really feeling and what we need to get back to where we want to be. When you are in the middle of all your thoughts, feelings and emotions, it’s difficult to understand why you’re feeling or acting a certain way; mostly because you’re full of a lot of emotions. Sometimes, a deep breath, and some simple self care acts can be what you need to refocus your energies and gather yourself.

a simple guide on how to contact a volunteer !

Trentchat was rebranded in April 2020 as a direct response to the covid pandemic, and with the help of some amazing and compassionate volunteers, we have been able to help hundreds of Nottingham Trent students with issues that have been affecting them. We noticed that there was a lack of support which students could access online, at any time, which is why our opening hours were extended to 10am-midnight in order for students to be able to come and confidentially and anonymously speak with a volunteer.

We plan to expand our service to reach more students and young people beyond those at Nottingham Trent. We feel this change is needed in order to be able to provide that lifeline to some students who may not have anywhere else to turn.

We are a peer led service, so all of are volunteers are currently students themselves, and many have experienced their own struggles with mental health. We are here to support and listen to others who are in need of some help and a friendly chat.

last few days to enter the raffle !! enter now using the link in our bio, £3 per ticket for a chance to win prizes worth over £150 🤩 make sure to put your name and/or @ for the donation so we know who to contact !

winners will be drawn on friday and announced on our story !!

Mental health matters all year round. Today is university mental health day, however we don’t think NTU has enough support for mental health.

TrentChat was set up by NTU students as they felt they had no support from university and no where to turn. However, we are not affiliated with the university and receive no funding. Although we are NTU students, we do not feel supported, heard or listened to by Trent, we feel ignored. Yet, we keep the service running out of our own pockets, to help others, in the most online friendly way we can.

We run 10am-midnight, and that is thanks to our selfless volunteers who give up their time to help other students. TrentChat is a lifeline to some NTU students who have no where else to turn to for help, as university does not have an open source of direct, online, instant chat to speak to someone anonymously and confidentially about mental health. To help us keep running TrentChat as a free support service for any student, you can enter our raffle, or donate to our PayPal.

This year more than ever, it’s so important to keep the conversation around mental health open, and look out for others who you think maybe be struggling. If you do need to talk to someone, message us at trentchat.co.uk (link in bio)

We are all living at a time where things are so uncertain. Recently, i’ve noticed that mental health has been affecting a lot more people, more than usual.
Trentchat was rebranded in April 2020 as a direct response to the covid pandemic, and with the help of some amazing and compassionate volunteers, we have been able to help hundreds of Nottingham Trent students with issues that have been affecting them. We noticed that there was a lack of support which students could access online, at any time, which is why our opening hours were extended to 10am-midnight in order for students to be able to come and confidentially and anonymously speak with a volunteer. We are also able to signpost students to relevant services which may be helpful to them if necessary. We provide educational and informative content on our social media as a way to promote speaking up on the topic of mental health and any issues affecting students such as loneliness, financial problems, debt, disability, covid 19 and more. We are a peer led service, so all of are volunteers are Trent students themselves, and many have experienced their own struggles with mental health. TrentChat student volunteers are here to support and listen to others who are in need of some help and a friendly chat.