This week (6-10 November) is Talk Money Week. The aim is to encourage you to be more open about your finances with family and friends, as well as getting advice from experts if needed.

Blackbullion

We’re partnered with Blackbullion, a resource for students to improve their finances. Blackbullion has courses you can join and articles including how to build an emergency fund and top 10 money tips.

Help with budgeting

Your student maintenance loan only stretches so far and doesn’t always cover all the essentials. So, it’s important to make sure you’ll have enough money to see you through to your next instalment. Martin Lewis, Money Saving Expert guru, has lots of advice and templates to help, check out here how to create a student budget.

As always, if you are experiencing financial hardship and budgeting just doesn’t cut it, please get in touch for financial support and advice.

Don’t get caught out

University students can be a target for criminals. If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is:

• Money mules – recruiters may try to befriend you and ask you to transfer money between accounts for them, giving you a small cut for doing so. You may think you are doing someone a favour, but you could be transferring criminal money. If you get caught, you could get a criminal record. Find out more about money mules.
• Online scams – Protect yourself from online scams with these tips from Dr Jason Nurse of our award-winning Institute of Cyber Security Research Group.
• Be suspicious of unsolicited emails, texts or calls asking for personal information.
• Be cautious of messages that try enticing you into take some action (e.g. clicking a link or transferring some money).
• Be careful with what personal information you share online, using data from previous breaches fraudsters trick people into thinking it’s genuine.
• Use unique and strong passwords across online accounts – use a reputable password manager app to keep them secure.
• Use multi-factor authentication whenever possible and keep the software updated.

Additional resources and support around your finances

• Cyber security Moodle training for Kent students
• Cost of living support webpage
• Kent Union Advice Service
• Finance Team

With adverse weather expected over the next 24 hours, we want to let you know that our Canterbury and Medway campuses will be open as normal.

Given potential travel disruption, it may be that some activity is moved online due to staff unavailability – your Division will be in touch if there are any changes. Check your emails or get in touch before travelling if you want to make sure. Similarly, if you can’t make it to campus please let your Division know.

Please take care when coming in and check the latest travel advice before you make the trip. Useful sites include:

• Plan Your Journey
• Met Office
• Travel During Adverse Weather

If anything changes, we will update you first on our Instagram stories.

Canterbury for Ukraine (C4U) is running a series of events to mark Holodomor – or ‘the Great Famine’ – the Russian induced famine which killed millions of Ukrainians in the 1930s.

As the current conflict continues, the commemoration takes on special importance as Ukraine continues to defy Russian aggression and affirm its commitment to peace and freedom.

The events at the end of November will include the showing of a landmark film, Mr Jones, which tells the story of Gareth Jones, a Welsh journalist, who travels to Ukraine in 1933 and uncovers the truth behind the famine in Ukraine.

The award-winning 2019 film, starring Edward Norton, Vanessa Kirby and Peter Sarsgaard, will be shown at the Gulbenkian on Thursday 23 November at 19:00. It has also been announced that students will be able to attend the screening free of charge thanks to a donation from Canterbury for Ukraine. To book your free student ticket, go to the Gulbenkian website. The ticket will show as £6 but once in the basket it will appear as £0 for students.

The commemoration will culminate in an inter-denominational service at All Saints Church, Military Road at 19:00 on Saturday 25 November. The service will bring together faith leaders, religious groups and many others from Canterbury and beyond to commemorate Holodomor but also to show solidarity with the more than 400 hundred Ukrainians who have settled in the area following the Russian invasion escalated in February 2022.

More than 6 million people have been forced to leave their homes as Russian forces have attacked major cities across Ukraine, including Berdyansk, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Sumy, and the capital Kyiv. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights verified 9,614 civilian deaths to September 2023, but the number of civilian casualties in the occupied territory is as yet unknown.

Canterbury for Ukraine was set up in March 2022 to welcome and support the growing number of Ukrainian families being displaced to Canterbury and the surrounding areas.

Run and supported by local volunteers, supporters and businesses from both the UK and Ukraine, C4U has grown rapidly to provide a wide range of high-quality and much-needed services including a Welcome Hub, a Youth Hub, English language classes, a club for older age Ukrainians “Young Hearts”, the Canterbury for Ukraine Facebook group, a Choir, as well as awareness raising, public engagement and social events.

The Holodomor commemoration activities are a part of C4U’s continuing work to promote Ukrainian culture, language, history and heritage.

For further information please go to the Canterbury for Ukraine (C4U) website.

If you are heading out for Halloween, remember that having fun doesn’t mean crossing boundaries or compromising safety. This guide offers helpful tips to ensure everyone’s enjoyment, respect, and safety during Halloween celebrations. 

Safety services at Kent 

If you are heading out, here’s a reminder of the safety services on offer at both our Canterbury and Medway campuses. From the trusty SafeZone app, a Walking Taxi Service, to round-the-clock Campus Security, CCTV, and patrols, we’ve got you covered. Check out Kent’s safety services to learn more. 

Consent. Get it. FULL STOP. 

It’s crucial to always check for consent in all sexual situations. Consent is non-negotiable, regardless of the circumstances. Remember, Consent. Get it. FULL STOP. 

Respect boundaries 

While Halloween is a time for spooks and scares, not everyone enjoys being frightened. It’s crucial to respect people’s comfort zones and ensure that the fun doesn’t turn into distress for someone else. 

What to do in case of inappropriate behaviour 

If you witness something inappropriate or unsettling, there are several actions you can take. The University’s confidential online reporting tool, REPORT + SUPPORT, allows you to report and get advice about various issues. These include sexual misconduct, physical and verbal abuse, spiking, harassment or bullying, discrimination, or hate incidents. You can report anonymously or get support from an adviser. 

Seeking help at the bar 

If you ever find yourself in an uncomfortable or threatening situation, you can discreetly ask for help at the bar. Simply ask for ‘Angela’ at bars in Canterbury (including all bars on campus), and the bar staff will understand that you need assistance. They can call you a taxi or help you out discreetly, ensuring your safety without drawing unnecessary attention. 

Building a safer community 

Everyone can contribute to creating a safer community, especially during festive occasions like Halloween. By respecting others’ boundaries, taking control, and seeking support when necessary, we can ensure a safe and enjoyable celebration for all. Remember, ‘Consent. Get it. FULL STOP.’ 

Many students at some point during their time at university have struggled with homesickness, whether they be in their first year or in their final year. This is a normal feeling as being in an unfamiliar environment with a different routine can be an adjustment for many and is nothing to be ashamed about.

From my own personal experience and understanding from others, I have compiled a little ‘Homesickness Toolkit’ to help manage and overcome homesickness at university…

1. Throw yourself into university life. Try to get to know and socialise with your flatmates as well as your course mates. And join societies! Kent has many sports and non-sports societies that cater to all students. Have a look on the Kent Union webpage for more information regarding this. Having a strong support network around you is important, and just having a chat with a friend can make a world of difference!
2. Why not decorate your room with photos, posters or anything that makes you feel more at home? Having things around you that are familiar and comforting will make you feel more at ease in your new space. For example, I have a photo of my family that I always display in my room. This reminds me of the happy memories that I have shared with them, making me feel more relaxed and comfortable in my new room.
3. Keeping in touch with family and friends from home. Planning a phone or video chat catch-up with someone you miss can be a good way to feel closer to them. Maybe plan a specific day or time during the week to call to make sure everyone keeps that time free.
4. It sounds obvious but explore our beautiful campus! Whether you are in Canterbury or Medway, the University of Kent has so many facilities on offer for you to make use of. Familiarity with your surrounding area would help to combat the feeling of homesickness, as you will begin to love the new area you are calling home during term-time! Check out the online map for venues you might not have come across so far.
5. Why not plan a home visit? There is nothing wrong with going back home every once in a while. University is a change, and it’s sometimes nice to go back to a familiar environment. Or you could even plan for family and friends to come and visit you at uni. You could show them around town, around campus and your favourite hangouts!

It is okay to ask for help. The feeling of homesickness may pass, or you may continue to feel overwhelmed and might therefore benefit from support provided by Student Support and Wellbeing. If this is the case, then have a look at the resources available on the Student Support and Wellbeing webpage and get in contact if you need additional support.

Written by Lucie, postgraduate student