student parents
g uide to winchester
Winchester Students’ Union is passionate about ensuring you have every opportunity to get the most from your student experience while at Winchester, and that you feel supported and represented throughout your time as a student. The University of Winchester cares about every student and embodying the institutional values of Spirituality, Compassion and Individuals Matter.
Balancing parental responsibilities along with your degree can be tricky, but you shouldn’t be left in the dark about what’s available to you. We also recognise that all students have an individual student experience complete with different challenges, so this guide is written in partnership with students from the Mature & Part-time Students Network, Winchester Students’ Union, and the University of Winchester to provide you with support and tips to help you enjoy life as a student parent, or if you find yourself becoming a parent, whilst at Winchester.
academic support
If a lecture or seminar is conflicting with parental responsibilities, it is worth mentioning this to your lecturers or programme administrator as they may be able to assist you. For example, you may be able to gain permission to record lectures.
If your child becomes ill, you are entitled to complete an Extenuating Circumstances form if this disrupts your studies or assignments. Be sure to communicate your needs to your faculty so you can get appropriate support. Winchester Students’ Union Advice Centre can also support you through this process, visit www.winchesterstudents.co.uk/advice and complete the Advice Enquiry Form.
nurseries & schools
There are two nurseries located within close proximity to the University – West Downs Day Nursery (07:30 to 18:30) at the West Downs Quarter, and Tops Day Nursery located on Burma Road. However, if you cannot book a place, or have a lecture that finishes at 6pm or later, you can visit: www.childcare.co.uk to find childminders in the local area.
Usually, schools ensure plenty of afterschool and holiday care cover. However, some great external companies in the local area include: Barracudas Activity Day Camps and Winchester Sport & Leisure Park.
If you require immediate in-school admission for your child, you can find out more information from your Local Authority website.
housing & parking
There is a range of University-approved accommodation, which includes on-campus, self-catered & catered, en-suite & shared bathrooms and off-campus properties within the local community. All accommodation types have designated quiet areas. There is also limited single sex allocated accommodation as well as a small number of self-contained flats for students with children, couples and students with medical/disability needs.
For more information regarding housing, search ‘Student Housing Services’ on the intranet, email housing@winchester.ac.uk or call 01962 827533
Parking is not available on campus for students unless they meet certain requirements, such as holding a blue badge or requiring regular registered carer visits.
For more help regarding parking, search ‘Travel and Transport’ on the Intranet or email parking.information@winchester.ac.uk.
financial support
You will be able to apply to Student Finance for a loan to cover your fees and to help with your living expenses. The amount of loan for living expenses will depend on your personal circumstances.
You may also be eligible to apply for various grants and benefits, depending on your household income and where you live and/or study. For information regarding this, visit: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk (search: Grants and benefits if you're studying and have a baby).
If you are lone parent, you may be entitled to certain government benefits. For more information about this, please visit your local Citizens Advice Bureau.
Please be aware that your Maintenance Loan will be regarded as income when claiming benefits. You can find out more information here: www.gov.uk/get-undergraduate-student-loan or get in touch with our Students and Money team at: studentsandmoney@winchester.ac.uk.
If you find yourself becoming a parent whilst studying, there is support in place regarding your studies, Student Finance and financial support. For more information, search ‘Becoming a parent’ and ‘Pregnancy, adoption and becoming a parent while studying guidelines’ on the intranet.
mental health support
As a student parent, there is nothing wrong with needing support. For local and practical community support, you can get in touch with www.gingerbread.org.uk – a charity supporting lone parents. For listening and non-judgemental support, you can contact www.familylives.org.uk who also provide a confidential hotline. If you have been affected by unplanned pregnancy, still birth, miscarriage or abortion, you can visit www.winchesterpregnancycrisis.com for help and support. There are also face-to-face and online counselling services at Winchester – email: studentservices@winchester.ac.uk for more information.
additional support available
Student Support and Success
The University’s Student Support and Success team offer a wide variety of student support services to ensure all of your wellbeing needs are met. Support is available from The Mental Wellbeing team, The Disability and Inclusion Team, Academic Skills, The Student Journey Team, Student Support and Success Advisers (SSSAs), Students and Money, and International Student Support. Please drop by the Student Support and Success Reception Monday – Friday, 9 am to 5 pm or email: studentservices@winchester.ac.uk.
Winchester Students’ Union Advice Centre
Winchester Students’ Union Advice Centre offers free, independent and impartial support and guidance on a range of issues that may be impacting upon your University experience. We specialise in supporting students through the academic processes of appeals, misconduct or complaints, and the Advice Centre also provides support on issues such as wellbeing, money, and housing. Visit: www.winchesterstudents.co.uk/advice for more information, to read our toolkits, or to book an appointment with our Students’ Union Advisor
Student Listeners
This is a peer support scheme run for students, by students who have received training in listening and support skills. Come to our Wellbeing Cafe and speak to our Student Listeners about anything from homesickness, low self-esteem, relationship/housemate difficulties, to course worries and more. Why not become a Student Listener yourself? Email: studentlisteners@winchester.ac.uk
Nightline
Nightline is a confidential out-of-hours listening service, run for students by students. Lines are open from 6pm-8am during term time. Call: 0207 631 0101 Text: 07717 989 900
Careers and Opportunities Hub
This is a one-stop-shop for all students and graduates who are thinking about their employability and next steps. Made up of Careers, Volunteering, Winchester Hub, Placements and Enterprise, we support students to make the most of their time at university and prepare for life afterwards. Email: Careers@winchester.ac.uk
C hild-friendly activities in the local area
Not sure what you can do with your child(ren) in the local area?
Here are few budget friendly options:
- Winchester Discovery Centre
- Winchester Sport & Leisure Park
- The Qube (Stanmore, Winchester)
- Kidz 2 Day (Eastleigh)
- Partyman World of Play (Eastleigh)
- Mini Mornings (Vue – Eastleigh)
m ature and/or part-time?
If you are also a mature student (over 21 years old when you applied to university) or study on a part-time basis, make sure you check out our Mature and/or Part-time Students Guide in the same series as this guide where you’ll find additional support and top tips
C ommitment to Equality and Diversity
Both the University and Winchester Students’ Union aim to celebrate diversity in all forms in order to create a safe, hospitable and inclusive environment. The Equality and Diversity forum is open to all staff and students who are interested in advancing inclusivity, equality and diversity at the University. Search ‘Equality and Diversity’ on the intranet for more information including meeting dates
r eporting discrimination
The University and Students’ Union have a strict zero tolerance policy on any form of discrimination. Together we are committed to tackling any hate crime, harassment, bullying or violence, and we hold the view that bullying and harassment is never okay. A hate crime is any crime that is motivated by hostility or prejudice based on race or ethnicity, religion or belief, disability, sexual identity or gender identity.
There is support available for you if you have experienced or witnessed anything that made you feel uncomfortable or concerned you. We would always encourage you to report any incident because it can prevent similar things from happening to other people and it sends an important message about what behaviour is acceptable within the student community. It can also help us to understand the prevalence of hate crime, harassment, bullying or violence within Union and University activity.
If you should ever find yourself in any harassing or inappropriate situation in which you are being discriminated against, we encourage you to take any of the following steps:
• You can report harassment, bullying and violence (including anonymous reporting) via the University's Report + Support system: https://reportandsupport.winchester.ac.uk
• Get in contact and seek advice from our Student Support and Success team (search for ‘Student Support and Success’ on the intranet, or email: studentservices@winchester.ac.uk)
• Winchester Students’ Union Advice Centre can support you with an academic appeal if you have evidence of prejudice or bias: www.winchesterstudents.co.uk/advice
• For Winchester-specific support with online harassment visit https://stoponlinebullying.winchester.ac.uk/
students face when going to University. The Students’ Union President leads on the Union’s work to represent all student demographic groups, ensuring the equality, diversity and accessibility of the Union and liaising with the University. You can email them directly at SU_Pres@winchester.ac.uk to get involved, to raise issues you may be facing or to suggest campaigns or areas of focus for the Union. The Students’ Union runs campaigns throughout the year based on issues faced and areas raised by students, such as the introduction of Representational Networks.
With a dedicated Advice Centre and a friendly team of elected officers here to represent you, your Student Union is here for you throughout your time as a student at Winchester.
ADDITIONAL USEFUL LINKS & ADDRESSES
Citizens Advice Bureau
The Winchester Centre, 68, St. Georges St, Winchester, SO23 8AH
For all things family friendly - www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk
