As the second May Bank Holiday approaches, you may have envisaged an enjoyable excursion over the three-day weekend. But, as we continue social distancing and many popular destinations remain closed, your plans are probably on hold for now.

But have no fear! We’ve put together a list of our 10 best virtual tours based in Kent and London, for you to enjoy a spot of culture and sightseeing from the comfort of your sofa.

1. Canterbury Cathedral

From the Crypt to the Trinity Chapel, this interactive virtual tour lets you explore what Canterbury Cathedral has to offer – including a fantastic view of Canterbury from the Bell Harry Tower!

2. Sissinghurst Castle gardens

With the added effect of birdsong, a tour around Sissinghurst Castle’s beautiful rose gardens, makes you feel like you’re really there. Check out the courtyard and library too.

3. National Gallery

Treating you to not one but three virtual tours, London’s National Gallery allows you to step inside and explore one of the greatest collections of paintings.

4. National Garden Scheme

Delve into a treasure trove of beautiful gardens across the UK and Wales, including the surroundings of Hever Castle, with the National Garden Scheme.

5. Houses of Parliament

Ever wondered what the inside of the Houses of Parliament looks like? Wonder no more with several virtual tours (including the House of Lords Chamber) on offer.

6. Dover Castle

A great one for history-buffs, English Heritage hosts a virtual tour exploring a building at Dover Castle, which played a vital role in WWI.

7. Tower of London

Take a tour around one of London’s most iconic attractions and learn all about its fascinating history with the audio feature.

8. Leeds Castle

Watch this YouTube video and enjoy a first-person walking tour all around lovely Leeds Castle – both inside and out.

9. British Museum 

As the world’s largest indoor space on Google Street View, and offering virtual visits to more than 60 galleries, the British Museum is perfect for a spot of home entertainment.

And finally, …

10. Our own Kent campuses!

Yet to see all the University has to offer? Visit the Hospitality webpage and explore both the Canterbury and Medway campuses with these fantastic virtual tours!

Share your top 10 feature ideas with us at stories@kent.ac.uk

Kent is marking Mental Health Awareness Week (18 – 24 May 2020) in a variety of ways. Throughout the week and across the University there are a number of online events/activities that staff, and students can get involved in – virtually of course!

Activities include:

• Our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is running an array of webinars for staff on mental health issues – especially timely during the coronavirus crisis and Mental Health Awareness Week. Check out the webinar schedule and find out more on the EAP website (login: uokent and password: university).

• Further support and information on Mental Health Awareness Week can be found on the staff Health and Wellbeing website.

• Coinciding with Mental Health Awareness week is ‘BAG’ (Belong and Grow) week, which has a number of webinars and blogs for staff to access during the week, including Mental Health Awareness in line with Covid-19.

• To tie-in with the theme of Kindness for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, Kent Union will be posting random acts of kindness on their website.

• For students, Kent Union also has lots of information on their De-Stress platform that acts as a hub for advice, support and activities. You can find more information on our Mental Health Awareness Week story.

• Across the University’s social media platforms, staff and students will find posts and stories, highlighting Mental Health Week. A session on our Instagram LIVE account, on Wednesday 20 May at 12.00, will feature a student giving out tips to others on how to manage stress and anxiety during the exam period.

This week is Mental Health Awareness week and the theme for this week is ‘Kindness’. Every day Care First will be running webinars, each with a different theme.

Please see below for the webinar schedule:

Monday 18 May 2020 – ‘Mental Health Awareness Week’

A guide to understanding the importance of Mental Health Awareness Week.

Time: 11.00 – 11.45. To register please click on this Go to webinar link

Tuesday 19 May 2020 – ‘Understanding Anxiety & Tips to cope’

 Time: 12.00 – 12.30. To register please click on this Go to webinar link

Wednesday 20 May 2020 – ‘Kindness’

Time: 14.00 – 14.30. To register please click on this Go to webinar link

Thursday 21 May 2020 – ‘Stress, Resilience & Mental Health’

Time: 14.00 – 14.30. To register please click on this Go to webinar link

Friday 22 May 2020 – ‘5 Ways to Wellbeing’ 

Time: 10.00 – 10.30. To register please click on this Go to webinar link

Mental Health Awareness week is 18 until 24 May 2020 and the theme for this is KINDNESS.  

Care first is a leading provider of confidential, professional counselling, information, and advice services. All employees are eligible to use Care first, our services include: telephone counselling, information services and online support.

Approximately one in four people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year. Mental Health Awareness Week aims to get people talking about their mental health and reduce the stigma that can stop people from asking for help.

With mental health issues being so widespread, it’s important to raise awareness, support those suffering from a mental health problem, and seek help if you’re suffering from any form of mental illness or mental health problem.

A mental illness can range from common problems, such as depression and anxiety, to rarer problems i.e. schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Mental Health Awareness Weeks helps to give those living with Mental Illnesses the opportunity to speak out if appropriate and feel able to do so.

Good mental health, according to the World Health Organisation, is defined as a state of wellbeing where individuals are able to:

• Realise their own potential.
• Work productively.
• Cope with the normal stresses of life.
• Make a positive contribution to the community

Good mental health is also characterised by a person’s ability to fulfil several key functions and activities, including:

• The ability to learn.
• The ability to feel, express and manage a range of positive and negative emotions.
• The ability to form and maintain good relationships with others.

 Five Warning Signs of Mental Illness:

• Long-lasting sadness or irritability.
• Extremely high and low moods.
• Excessive fear, worry, or anxiety.
• Social withdrawal.
• Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits.

By raising awareness, we begin to have an understanding and insight into what it may be like to live with a mental illness. Kindness is the theme, so let’s see how many acts of kindness we can witness and deliver ourselves not just for awareness week but on-going.

If you feel you may need some support, call Care first on the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in confidence.

Many of our live BAG week events are now fully booked. However, we have lots of webinars and blogs that can be viewed any time during the week. L&OD are also updating the rolling blog every day, so look out for any new activities.

Activities you can access:

Facebook live given by the Uni Boob Team on behalf of CoppaFeel!

Working from Home blog by Carin Tunaker.

Microsoft Teams Training from our IT Team.

Age related issues, with Covid 19 in mind blog by Sarah Vickerstaff.

Staying Strong webinar for UNISON members.

BAME Staff Network, meet the Co-Chairs blog.

BAME Staff Network video

Online inclusion – make the virtual accessible to all, a blog by Natalia Crisanti.

Free online physiotherapy consultations with Kent Sport.

Kent Sport are offering free 20 minute online or telephone consultations with Vicky Annis, lead physiotherapist at the Kent Sport Physiotherapy Clinic. Consultations are open to all staff. To book a consultation, please email physio@kent.ac.uk. These sessions are available until 27 May 2020 and there are limited spaces.

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – Supporting your Wellbeing during Covid-19.

Webinars from Sodexo and Care First – our EAP Providers. Please click on our Supporting your wellbeing story.

Preparing to come out of lockdown – you can access a fact sheet on preparing to come out of lockdown, and register for a webinar on Monday afternoon, 11 May at 14:00.

The available webinars cover all aspects of living under lockdown and the Covid-19 crisis, on the home page of the EAP website, (login: uokent and password: university).

Also available to view:

Top tips to boost your Immunity with Care first

Social Media use during isolation

Keeping children occupied at home

Care first – Management Support

Tips to keep control of your finances

Easy ways to keep active from home

Sleep & Anxiety: Tips to getting a good night’s sleep

Bereavement

Information for Mental Health First Aiders – Supporting people remotely

Support & Information around COVID-19 & Care first guidance

Care first isolation & loneliness support

Care first – emotional support

Domestic Abuse during COVID-19 & how Care First can offer support

Understanding Furlough

Social Media, Technology & Young People

Understanding COVID-19 & how Care First can support you

Mental Health Awareness in line with COVID-19

Tips for working from home & support from Care First

Hopefully with the live sessions and all of the above we have something for everyone – “it’s your BAG”!