Student Assistance Programme
The college has recently launched the Student Assistance Programme. This is a confidential programme designed to help students and their families deal with personal or student-related problems. The problems could be affecting home life, education, health or general wellbeing. The support advisors and counsellors can provide support in many areas such as:
- Mental and physical health
- Stress, anxiety and depression (they have measured the service provides a 56% improvement in general anxiety)
- Financial issues, such as housing, debt management - support from experienced financial advisors who can help with money worries, future planning and budgeting advice.
- Family issues, including childcare and caring for a dependant
- Relationships
- Medical information - qualified nurses are on hand to offer support on a range of medical or health-related issues offering practical information and advice.
- Educational pressures
- Discrimination
- Bereavement and loss
- Bullying and harassment
- Domestic abuse
- Legal advice
- Lifestyle Addictions
- Sexual health/sexual and gender identity
- Substance misuse
- And many more
The service has options for a phone chat, an online video call or for support and coaching sessions. The free helpline number is 0800 028 3766: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If you’re living in the same household as your partner, they can also access the service.
Wisdom (Learn, Grow, Thrive) App
The service also have a supporting app: My Healthy Advantage App.
There is a reference to input when using the app: MHA206531.
Safeguarding Services
For advice and guidance, please call the safeguarding team on 01254 292424 or safeguarding@blackburn.ac.uk.
There are many organisations and agencies who can provide confidential support and advice during this difficult time – these include the agencies below:
Mental Health
Urgent and Serious Mental Health Cases
A Mental Health helpline and “in person” service is available at the Royal Blackburn Hospital A&E department. The response line, for urgent and serious mental health cases, (24/7) is 0800 953 0110.
Apps
- Clear Fear – tackling anxiety and managing worries
- Mind Shift – coping with anxiety
- Headspace – relaxation techniques
General Mental Health Support
- Kooth – online counselling and emotional wellbeing platform for children and young people. Easily accessible, anonymous and free.
- Side by Side – supportive online community and a safe place to listen, share and be heard. For those persons 18 and over.
- Young Minds - support and awareness of young people’s mental health up to 25. Also has support for parents.
- The Mix – support and information for under 25s including discussion boards and live chat.
- Togetherall – online mental health community accessible to all.
- Every Mind Matters lets you complete a My Mind Plan to help you deal with stress and anxiety, improve your sleep, boost your mood, and feel more in control
Freephone Wellbeing, Mental Health Helpline and Texting Service
08009154640 – NHS free out of hours service for support with mental health for all ages or text HELLO to 07860022846
Apps for Relaxation
- Smiling Minds
- Headspace
Apps which Help with Distraction from Self-Harm
- Calm Harm
Crisis Support
The Samaritans (provide emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide)
- 116 123 (free from land line and mobile)
- email jo@samaritans.org
Young Minds Crisis Messenger
- Text service providing 24/7 free crisis support across the UK. Text YM to 85258
Hopeline UK
- If there are thoughts of suicide or there is a concern for a young person who might be considering suicide, then confidential support and advice is available 9am to 10pm weekdays and 2pm to 10pm weekends on 08000684141 or text on 07786209697. Email pat@papyrus-uk-org
App to Help Suicidal Thoughts
- Stay Alive
Please remember if someone is in danger or has harmed themselves you must call 999.
Sexual Abuse and Assault
If you feel you have suffered a sexual assault, been the victim of sexual abuse, online grooming , inappropriate touching or inappropriate sexual comments then please click the links below for support.
NEST Lancashire has been set up to support young people aged 8 to 18 who have been affected by crime or subjected to threats or harassment. You can talk to us in confidence and all of our services are free of charge. This includes sexual abuse, sexual assault and sexual harassment, including online.
Lancashire victim service for support with sexual abuse and assault. You will be able to speak to an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA). ISVAs give practical and emotional support to anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted or abused at any time in their life. Phone :0300 323 0085
You can contact Childline and use email, text or chat online and ask for support and advice about a sexual assault, abuse and harassment.
If it is unacceptable offline, it is unacceptable online.
Domestic Abuse
- National Domestic Abuse Hotline – 0808 2000 247
- The Wish Centre – local domestic abuse support, free and confidential – 01254 260465
- Victim Support – free and confidential support
Boots Pharmacies have a scheme in most stores where a domestic abuse victim can say ‘ANI’ or ask for a 'Safe Space’, they will be offered a private space to contact the police.
Other shops and chemists also offer a similar safe space scheme and more information can be found here SafeSpaces.
Forced Marriage, Hate Crime & FGM (Female Genital Mutilation)
For support, please ring police on 101 for advice and guidance
Housing
- Breathing Space Lancashire
- Blackburn with Darwen – Nightsafe 01254 503067
- Pendle & Burnley HAPI – SafeSpace – 01282 619102
- Hyndburn & Ribble Valley – YNOT Aspire – 01254 352592
- Rossendale – HAPI-SafeSpace – 01706212894
The above services are for young people aged between 14-25 who are at risk of homelessness.
Housing Needs - for adults who are homeless:
- Blackburn with Darwen Council – 01254 585585
- Rossendale - Rossendale Borough Council, Housing and Homelessness
- Hyndburn – 01254 388111
- Burnley – 01282 425011
- Chorley - Housing Support
Online Safety
Some good links giving advice around internet safety at the current time and advice for parents:
- Internet Matters - Helping parents keep their children safe online
- NSPCC
- UK Safer Internet Centre - Young People
- Thinkuknow - Home activity packs for children aged 14+
- Thinkuknow - How you can help children stay safer online over the winter break and beyond!
If it is unacceptable offline, it is unacceptable online.
Gaming Online
Childnet International - Gaming
Drugs and Alcohol
- Spark - Blackburn with Darwen (01254 495014)
- Home - Early Break
Further Support
Students can access links and information for support and advice on Moodle
Children's Social Care
If you are concerned about a child being abused or neglected please call:
Blackburn with Darwen Council Child Advice and Duty Service (CADS)
- Monday to Friday (office hours) - 01254 666400 Evenings and Weekends - 01254 587547
Lancashire County Council
- Monday to Friday (office hours) - 0300 123 6720 or out of office hours - 0300 123 6722
Please use the numbers below if you have a Safeguarding concern with regards to a vulnerable adult:
- Blackburn with Darwen Council – 01254 585949
- Lancashire County Council – 0300 123 6720
Please remember to ring 999 should a child or vulnerable adult be at risk of immediate harm or should a crime have been committed. Please call an ambulance and request Police support and/or an ambulance.
