New to the department this year, the Flute Choir will combine music with visual art when it performs at the School of Art’s Studio 3 Gallery next week on Weds 9 March.

The #EarBox series combining the latest exhibition at the gallery with live music presents a lunchtime concert featuring music by Bach, Telemann, Handel, Tchaikovsky and more, set against the backdrop of the images and pottery currently on display in After the Break. The Flute Choir will be led from the harpsichord by Deputy Director of Music, Dan Harding.

The performance starts at 13.10; admission is free, more details online here: http://www.kent.ac.uk/music/whatson.html?tab=march

Two members of the HEAT project team took part in the Pilgrims Hospices Firewalk held at the University’s Sports Pavilion on Monday 29 February.

Chris Laming and Jayne Lawson took up the challenge and raised almost £400.

Chris said afterwards: ‘It was an exhilarating experience and totally painless.’

Colleagues from across the University joined Pilgrims’ staff and members of the public also took part and were supported by friends and family noisily cheering everyone on.

An electrician in Estates is training for a Paris to Whitstable cycle challenge in aid of charity.

Simon Ruff will be cycling 240 miles in just over two days from 17 to 19 March 2016 to raise funds for the Wooden Spoon charity. He is taking part in the challenge with his friend, Spencer Albone, a fellow coach from Whitstable Rugby Club.

Simon is currently taking part in ‘burst training’ to get himself in shape for the challenge. He said: ‘So far, it’s all going to plan – the rides are getting longer and less painful so, hopefully, by the time we start our ride we will be able to cope with most of what the weather can throw at us and manage the distance and time in the saddle.’

The Wooden Spoon charity aims to provide life-changing opportunities for disadvantaged children through the power of rugby.

Simon said that it was an obvious choice to support the charity: ‘Being a coach at a local rugby club I’ve seen how rugby can appeal to all and give people the joy of being part of a team and having fun.’

You can support Simon’s cycle challenge via his Just Giving webpage.

There’s only a few days left to nominate a student who you think deserves a Kent Student Award and that £400 cash prize. View the award categories.

The deadline for nominations is midnight on 6 March 2016.

Nominate an amazing Kent student now!

The Kent Student Awards recognise and celebrate extracurricular student achievement at the University of Kent.

Please encourage your colleagues, students, businesses and our external partners to nominate.

To mark Mental Health Day on Thursday 3 March, there will be workshops and a mini fair in Pilkington from 11.00-14.00. Highlights include:

• Six ways to wellbeing workshop at 12.00
• Mediation and mindfulness sessions at 12.15 and 13.15

To mark University Mental Health Day on 3 March, here’s a reminder from Student Support and Wellbeing of just some of the great support available to you.

Big White Wall

If you’re going through a stressful time or struggling with mental health issues, you can get free online support from Big White Wall. Watch the video for more details.

The service is designed to help people get support, take control and feel better. It provides 24/7 peer and professional support (with trained counsellors at all times) plus a range of wellbeing tools to help people self-manage.

The service is safe and anonymous.

To join, email the University Wellbeing Team at wellbeing@kent.ac.uk

Kent Student Social Support Network

The Kent Student Social Support Network, is a group of students who meet every fortnight to socialise and support one another through the ups and downs university life can bring.

Sometimes they also invite guests to run workshops such as relaxation techniques and assertiveness training.

To get involved email studentsocialsupportnetwork@kent.ac.uk

You can also find out more by following them on Twitter or by reading their blog. 

Self-help guides and e-books

Check out the free wellbeing and study e-books available on the University website. Books range from exam and revision tips to managing stress and depression.

There are also excellent self-help guides available for free from the NHS website.

Wellbeing Zone

Sign up for the University’s free wellbeing app – Wellbeing Zone.

The app allows you to review your current wellbeing and makes recommendations to help you feel at your best.

Meditation CD

Learn how to relax with the help of a meditation CD created by a fellow student and University staff. Find out more and how to get the CD.

Oasis Garden

If you ever feel you need to escape reality for a bit head down to the Oasis Garden.

The garden is located on the land next to Parkwood and the Crab and Winkle Way in Canterbury.

Find out more

For all the support available check out the Student Support and Wellbeing webpages.

The fully-qualified Student Support and Wellbeing Team are also available to chat, confidentially, whenever you feel you need to.