Monthly Archives: May 2020

close up of hedgehog on leaves

Hedgehog Awareness Week, 3-9 May 2020

Hedgehog Awareness Week is organised by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) and takes place every year. It aims to highlight the problems hedgehogs face and how you can help them.

The hedgehog is in trouble, with populations plummeting 50% since 2000. Increasing habitat loss means hedgehogs are moving out of their rural homes and into built areas. But here they face a whole host of challenges, including road traffic, litter, poisoning and lack of access to food and water. In 2019 the RSPCA saw Hedgehog admissions to their wildlife centres break all records with 2770 hedgehogs being admitted.  Reasons for this include variations in weather causing a reduction in food availability meaning hedgehogs struggling to make it through the winter.

We are lucky enough to have hedgehogs on our campus however, the roads that cut through campus are causing particular issues with hedgehogs being hit by vehicles, as well as litter causing issues for hedgehogs and other wildlife on campus.

In July 2019 the University launched its participation in the Hedgehog Friendly Campus project– created at the University of Sheffield to use the unique spaces that university campuses are, to raise awareness of the plight of UK hedgehogs and take action to safeguard their future.

The University has a hedgehog action group made up of student and staff volunteers from across the University working together to address these issues. This group has taken a number of actions to help support hedgehogs on campus including litter picking, awareness raising and providing toolbox talks for the Landscape and Grounds Team so that they know what to do if they find an injured hedgehog, how to check for them before strimming and what are the biggest risks to hedgehogs on campus.

The University was awarded a Bronze certificate for its efforts by the Hedgehog Friendly Campus Project earlier this year and since then the action group have been developing plans for further initiatives we can do, including surveying and signage.

Whilst we are all in lockdown there are number of things we can all do to help support local hedgehogs, especially those of us that have gardens. Simple actions like: creating a log pile, checking areas before strimming, and building a hedgehog home can make a huge difference to your local population of hedgehogs. This year the BHPS are asking people to talk to their neighbours (from a distance) about cutting a CD case sized hole in the bottom of fences to create a hedgehog highway between gardens.

You can find out more information about things you can do on the BHPS website and get involved with the University of Kent Hedgehog action group by emailing sustainability@kent.ac.uk. Throughout the week the Sustainability Team will be posting tips, actions and activities on their Instagram @unikent.sustainability.

Financial assistance for students

If you are struggling financially and need assistance to get through your Summer term, you might be eligible for additional funding. The University has a variety of support packages specific to your course, location and fee status.

Kent Financial Support Package

The Kent Financial Support Package (KFSP) 2019 is a financial support package of £4,500 for eligible undergraduate students across three stages of full-time study. Eligible students studying a full time four year undergraduate programme with a sandwich year or an integrated Masters year will receive a further cash bursary of £1,500.

New part-time students may be eligible for a pro rata cash bursary in each year of study as part of the KFSP.

Further information on KFSP

Kent Emergency Student Loan

The Kent Emergency Student Loan (KESL) is a loan from the University of up to £240 to help with immediate essential living costs, such as rent, food and travel. This is available to all undergraduate and postgraduate, Home, EU or International, full time or part time students. The loan will need to be paid back.

Further information on KESL

Access to Learning Fund

The Access to Learning Fund (ALF) provides financial assistance to UK students so they can access and remain in Higher Education, particularly those students who need financial help to meet extra costs that cannot be met from other sources of support. The amount will depend on your circumstances and how many applications the fund receives.

Further information on ALF

European Financial Support

The European Financial Support (EFS) fund can provide up to £500 financial support per year to full time non-UK students eligible to pay tuition fees at the ‘EU’ rate experiencing emergency situations or those experiencing a financial deficit over the academic year. The EFS cannot be used for paying tuition fees.

Further information on EFS

International Hardship Fund

The International Hardship Fund (IHF) can provide emergency financial assistance to all full time non-UK students eligible to pay tuition fees at the ‘overseas’ rate. The IHF cannot be used for paying tuition fees.

Further information on IHF

Typewriter with sunflower in vase next to it

Launch of online creative writing resource: Writing Minds

Dr Eleanor Perry, Lecturer in Creative Writing in the School of English, has launched a new online creative resource entitled Writing Minds.

Creative writing can engage us in new ways of thinking and reflecting. To assist you in these new discoveries, Eleanor has designed an online resource that aims to guide you into new forms of inspiration drawn from the everyday world around us, as well as from within ourselves. You don’t need creative writing experience to take part; all you need is a desire to get involved.

The Writing Minds project grew out of a series of creative workshops delivered in 2019 for University of Kent School of English students across all year levels who experience barriers to participation linked to mental health. The workshops were designed to be inclusive of all levels of creative ability and to enable students to explore and articulate their identity in an empowering and non-prescriptive way. Participants felt that the workshops and activities allowed them to “blow off creative steam,” in a context where whatever they “chose to make was for fun.”

As a consequence of the success of the workshops of 2019, Writing Minds has now grown into a virtual space where anyone – Kent students, university applicants, and aspiring writers – can participate in, and benefit from, creative and experimental writing exercises that might provide a “pocket to breathe,” or a means to “blow off creative steam.” The online resource is not designed for feedback or grades; the intended outcome is writing for enjoyment and well-being.

​Eleanor will post a new prompt on the website several times per week. The website will also host videos from our Creative Writing Reading Series; and other updates, including showcases of our current students’ creative-critical work.

On the website, you can also find work shared by other participants, and share your own work by emailing it to Eleanor at e.j.perry@kent.ac.uk.

Get involved with Writing Minds.

How to get support from the University and the Student Union during Coronavirus

The University and the student unions are offering our students advice and support throughout the Coronavirus situation. Kent Union, GK Union, Student Services and Careers and Employability Service are all offering support on finance, studies and careers.

Student Services

They are providing support and guidance regarding online examinations for taught programmes, you can reach them at exams2020@kent.ac.uk.

If you want to speak to someone about your mental health you can email Student Support and Wellbeing at wellbeing@kent.ac.uk to arrange phone or online support.

Student Learning Advisory Service

This is an academic support service available to every student at the University. They offer a range of study skills services and provide practical, academic advice, guidance and help geared to specific stages of University study. They are continuing to provide individual study, assignment and exam prep tuition and guidance. All appointments are currently taking place via Skype or email. If you would like to use their services, please contact them via learning@kent.ac.uk or book via the website.

Kent Student Support Team

The student support and wellbeing staff in Canterbury and Medway continue to operate remotely to support all students through this very challenging time. Whether you were previously accessing support or not, you are welcome to get in touch with us now.

They can support students with a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) such as dyslexia and discuss academic adjustments for people with disabilities or chronic conditions. They also support autistic students and anyone experiencing distress arising from psychological, emotional or mental health issues. If you previously had support from a mentor or tutor, they will be in touch with you to arrange virtual meetings.

Kent Union

The Kent Union Advice Centre is still available remotely during its usual hours (10:00–16:00).

Their Advice team can help with the following:

  • Financial issues – they can help you access Hardship funds that are available, as well as offer advice and support
  • Academic support – if you have worries or concerns over your academic work, assessments, exams etc.
  • Visa and other advice for international students – we know this is likely to be a very worrying time and the Advice Centre can ensure you have the right information and access to what you need.
  • Housing advice – we have provided some Housing related FAQs here.

You can contact them by phone (01227 827724) or by email at advice@kent.ac.uk.

GK Union

GK Unions Advice service can reached by email and phone. You can contact them by completing a Contact Form (if you need to send an attachment please instead email advice@gkunions.co.uk). You can also call their Advice Line on 01634 88 88 55.

The Careers and Employability Service

The Careers and Employability Service are working remotely and staff are happy to help you with the following:

  • Careers Advice
  • Reviewing your CV
  • Reading though application forms
  • Reviewing cover letters
  • Providing feedback on LinkedIn profiles
  • Reading through personal statements
  • Providing advice on job hunting
  • Mock interviews

You can book an appointment either by emailing careerhelp@kent.ac.uk or by logging onto Target Connect.

University Nursing Services – Canterbury

Nursing Services is available to students for support, advice, treatment of minor illnesses and injury, plus contraceptive advice. They are open daily in term time between 7am to midnight via a walk-in service and midnight-7am for emergency care. To respect social distancing, it might be a good idea to call first on 01227 823503 and see if you can get advice by phone.

University Medical Centre

This is an NHS general practice based on the University of Kent Canterbury campus – please have a look for online support.

DMC Sunlight Surgery

This is the Medway NHS practice many students are registered with – please have a look for online support.

Chaplaincy Team

Members of the Multifaith Chaplaincy Team are able to respond to questions, enquiries and offer appropriate support via phone or email. It may also be possible to link students to systems of support being offered locally by the various faith communities. You can head to their website for the contact details.