WELLBEING CHAMPIONS

Student Services

Our Student Services provide a range of advice, guidance, and support to our students in areas such as:

• Wellbeing and Mental Health

• Student Counselling

• Money management

• Targeted support for care experienced, estranged and adult carer students

• Disability and Inclusion

• Student safety and victim / survivor support

Chester Students’ Union

Alongside the University, your Students’ Union is there to support you. Chester Students’ Union’s Student Advice Centre provides free, impartial, confidential advice and guidance on a range of issues from advisers who are experienced and qualified to help you.

Your Course

When it comes to the academic side of university, there’s lots of support. You will be allocated a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) before you even begin your studies, and they will be there to provide academic advice and guidance, but to also help with any personal challenges you may face –even if they cannot help directly, they will help you find the support you need.

Our Academic Skills team are on hand throughout your time at the University to help you enhance your academic, maths or statistics skills through a range of embedded and extracurricular activities, one-to-one appointments and online support.

Living Away From Home

On-call Residential Advisers and Coordinators live alongside students on-site, and also provide out of hours support for residential students. All our students can rest easily knowing that our first aid trained University Porters work 24/7 all year round.

Around Campus

If you have something on your mind or you’re feeling in need of support, our Chaplaincy team is available to listen and support students of all faiths and none. No matter what the issue, they provide relaxed and informal spaces to talk, and the kettle is always on for anyone who pops in. There are also open access faith spaces and quiet rooms across the University for whenever you need them.

Extra Help

Our students can call our dedicated student support helpline for free at any time, day or night. This service provides confidential, in-the-moment support from an experienced therapist or adviser who will offer friendly, non-judgemental support.

Our students also have access to the My Healthy Advantage wellbeing app, which contains features such as relaxation techniques and health plans, podcasts, articles and videos on a range of topics, Health Assured x Spotify playlists to help mood, sleep and relieve anxiety, and confidential live chat and email support, as well as a call back request option.

Boost Your Mood

Taking part in sport and keeping active are great ways to make friends, boost your confidence and improve your mental health.

The Athletics’ Union at the University has over 50 sport clubs, both competitive and social, covering all kinds of activities from American football, martial arts and rowing, to cheerleading, archery and dance.

If you’re not really into joining a club but you’re looking to get fit, stay fit, or look after your wellbeing, our sport facilities will help you do just that.

Our facilities at Exton Park are available to all students studying across our Chester sites at affordable prices or at no cost at all. There’s a fitness suite, gym, sports hall, swimming pool, 3G pitch, Astro-Turf pitch, squash courts, tennis courts, golf simulator and an all-weather sprint track.

Our University Centre Shrewsbury students have access to a gym on site, and our University Centre Warrington students have free access to Warrington Youth Zone, our major sports partner that offers access to a gym, sports hall, rooftop 3G pitch and climbing wall.

We have an Active Wellbeing Programme at the University that encourages positive lifestyle changes and regular exercise to support students struggling with their mental health and low-level anxiety issues, with the programme hopefully having a positive impact that can continue throughout life after university.

Give Something Back

Volunteering at university can open up all kinds of opportunities, and it’s another way you can make friends, meet new people and of course, give something back. So, whether you’re interested in conservation projects, working in a charity shop, coaching children, befriending elderly people, being a peer mentor, or helping at one-off events, there are plenty of opportunities for our students. We currently offer over 100 volunteering opportunities available within the local community and the University, and our dedicated team are there to support you on your volunteering journey.