Relocation 2015 - Welcome to our World

REL

CATE

Welcome to our world

As one of the UK’s and world’s leading research universities we believe in investing in excellence. If you are considering working here, or have already agreed to join us, at Durham University, you will find that we are committed to providing you with a welcoming and supportive environment.

We appreciate there is a lot to consider when moving to a new area, whether you are coming from abroad or elsewhere within the UK. Durham University has a dedicated Relocation Manager, Stina Maynard who will assist you to make the move as smooth as possible. Stina has been at Durham University for over 10 years and has extensive knowledge of both the University and the surrounding Durham area.

Stina will work alongside you providing support with your domestic arrangements, offering a seamless and highly personal service to all involved in the move, to help ensure you settle into the area as smoothly as possible.

Key Support Areas: • Pre-Arrival • Home Search • Home and Office Moves • School Search and Selection • Moving In • Durham University Orientation • Area Orientation

Read on to find out more. If you have any questions please contact Stina on +44 (0)191 334 9251, or email stina.maynard@durham.ac.uk.

Professor Ray Hudson Acting Vice-Chancellor and Warden

01

Pre-Arrival Supporting you with your relocation to Durham can start well in advance of your arrival. Once you have made the decision to join us, we will contact you to establish your individual relocation requirements, to agree and understand the levels of support you need. We will then work within agreed timescales to ensure everything is considered before you arrive.

We can provide practical information on living in the UK, from advice on the cost of living, opening a UK bank account, obtaining your National Insurance Number, to driving in the UK. We can even provide advice on what to bring and what to wear.

Once we know your expected arrival date to Durham, we can arrange to collect you from the local airport, Newcastle or Durham Tees, or meet you from the train and take you to your new home or department.

Home Search It is important to arrange accommodation in advance, and assistance can be provided in a variety of ways:

Rental A short-term rental may suit, to allow you to familiarise yourself with the area before entering into a long-term agreement. We can liaise with local estate agents and property companies for available properties that match your needs.

The property may be furnished or unfurnished. The minimum time you can rent a property is usually six months. There may be occasions when this is negotiable with the landlord so please consult us for advice.

02

Home Search Home Purchase We can liaise with local estate agents on your behalf. Following completion of the Relocation Questionnaire, your requirements will be registered with estate agents and suitable houses selected that match your criteria.

We can also view properties on your behalf, or accompany viewings as required. Support can also be provided with the negotiation process, with the aim of achieving the best possible price for your chosen property. Advice and assistance with removals and settling in services are also available.

University Accommodation Durham University has a small number of houses and therefore generally does not have accommodation available to new staff. Properties do however become available occassionally for let on a short term basis and we can check this for you if required.

Home and Office Moves Whether you are relocating from abroad or from within the UK, we are here to help with relocating your home and office to Durham as required. Working with our approved suppliers, or with one of your own choice, we will oversee the arrangements; from setting up the appointments to assess the move contents; to the final delivery to Durham.

03

School Search and Selection We are able to provide full information on educational opportunities available in the region to ensure your children are settled in a school suited to their needs.

Accompanied visits and assessments can be arranged, with the aim of getting your children into the chosen school. Advice on schooling, syllabuses, examinations, entry procedures, registration and any relevant fees are all available. Organising uniforms, appointments, moving-up days, etc. can all be arranged.

We can also offer recommendations on the most suitable home search location, close to the new school.

Moving In Settling into your property can be time consuming. Below are a selection of services we can be available to support with, if required, to help you settle in to your new home:

Settling-In Services • Utilities Installation – we can attend an empty property to allow access for installation services, meter readings, safety checks etc. (including TV and telephone lines) • Healthcare Services Assistance – we can help in locating and registering with a local doctor (GP), dentist, opticians or other specialist healthcare providers • Leisure Facilities – we can provide a full range of local leisure complexes, places of interest, and amenities • Portfolio of Contacts - we can provide you with contact details for trade services (domestic staff and gardeners for example), interior design and refurbishment services and professional services (solicitors etc.)

• Ad-hoc Services - we will be on hand to offer support and guidance on anything else you require, to help you settle in.

04

Durham University Orientation To ensure you settle into your new role as quickly as possible, we will ensure you have all of the essential information you will need about Durham University available on your first day. This will include providing relevant staff induction dates, information on pay and pensions, staff benefits and who to contact for more information and where to get your University campus card. We will also provide you with a list of key departmental contacts so you know who to contact first hand and, if required, ensure that your CIS (IT) login details are provided in advance of your arrival.

Information will be provided on Senior Common Room (SCR) memberships and we will help familiarise you with information on the many events and cultural activities available within Durham University, and how to get involved.

Area Orientation In addition, we can provide an overview of the local area, accompanying you on visits to predetermined areas that may be of interest to you and family for your new life in Durham.

This service can include: • A local area overview highlighting housing, healthcare, shopping, local authority services, parks, places of worship, sites of historic or cultural interest, leisure facilities and public and private transport networks.

• The provision of an area information pack with up to date local maps of Durham and surrounding towns, the Durham Pocket Guide and a selection of regional event guides.

What’s Next?

To discuss any aspect of your move to Durham, please contact your Relocation Manager, Stina Maynard, on +44 (0)191 334 9251 or email stina.maynard@durham.ac.uk

05