The Government recently launched a scheme to support current students who have experienced hardship during the coronavirus pandemic. £15m in additional funding is being provided to English universities of which Kent has been allocated £122.5k.

The Covid-19 Hardship Fund can be used to support current students who have incurred unexpected costs due to Covid-19. This could be due to a loss of income, childcare costs, travel or rent.

Phase 3 of the Covid-19 Hardship Fund is now open and current students can apply for a £300 individual award to help their finances. There is a simple application process outlined on the Covid-19 Hardship funding webpage.

Applications for the third phase of the fund will close 31 July 2021 or sooner if all the funds are awarded before this date. We encourage you to apply as soon as you can. During phase 2, all the funds were awarded in a number of days.

There is also further financial support available through our range of emergency hardship funds.

Please contact our Financial Aid team or Kent Union’s Advice Service (Canterbury) or GKSU’s Advice Centre (Medway) for more information on what fund may be suitable for you.

Around the world, June is recognized as LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual) Pride Month to commemorate a tipping point in queer human rights history — the Stonewall Riots uprising. Notably led by trans*women of colour activists Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, Stonewall began on 28 June 1969, lasting for 6 days sparked by the years of targeted police harassment at the Stonewall Inn located in Greenwich Village in Manhattan, New York.

Pride month is celebrated every June to acknowledge and recognise the accomplishments of the LGBTQIA+ rights movement and our brave LGBTQIA+ advocates. It’s about the people in the LGBTQIA+ community and our allies who have fought and continue to fight for equality and recognized dignity.

It must not be forgotten that the first Pride was not a celebration. It was a riot led by queer people of colour. Pride was born out of a struggle. And now, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought struggle back to LGBTQIA+ communities, as they are forced to lock down with families who may not be accepting or safe. We see you; we celebrate you.

Pride Month presents a chance to express support for friends, family, co-workers or other LGBTQIA+ people.

P-eople – Pride is about the people in the LGBTQIA+ and allied community. Remember that our shared humanity is what is both celebrated and at stake in the global fight for full LGBTQIA+ equality

R-esilience Pride stands as a powerful claim of self-worth and community celebration in contrast to historic ostracization of LGBTQIA+ people.

I-nformation – Pride serves as an important milestone for employers to share information with their own workforce, customers and clients about the meaningful ways they engage with the LGBTQIA+ community and are advocates for equality.

D-iversity Pride is the culmination of struggle to fully recognize the diversity of the community.

E-xpression – The visuals that often come to mind from Pride month are colourful, campy and fun. From tiaras to boas to floats and DJs, Pride is a celebration of individual and community.

What does the Progress Pride Flag represent?

In 2018, Daniel Quasar updated the Pride Rainbow Flag, which is a symbol for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities, to better represent marginalised LGBTQIA+ communities. The Progress Pride Flag includes black and brown stripes to represent LGBTQIA+ communities of colour, and the pink, light blue and white represent the Transgender Pride Flag.

Look out for more LGBTQIA+ stories this month on our social media around being an ally and support available.

This week get involved with the online Paris Postgraduate festival, take a look at our virtual exchange and summer school opportunities, and find out more about volunteering. 

Play your part in Covid-19 enhanced testing and help keep Kent safe 

Everyone living, studying, and working in Canterbury’s CT1 and CT2 7 postcode areas is being urged to take part in Covid-19 enhanced testing over the next two weeks. This is in addition to your regular asymptomatic Covid-19 testing.  

It is quick and easy to get tested – with walk-in test centres on campus in Keynes and Darwin College car parks. You do not need to self-isolate after testing unless you are told to by NHS Test and Trace. Find out more about Covid-19 enhanced testing. 

It’s important that we stick to the latest government guidelines to help limit the spread, and remember Hands, Face, Space, Test. 

Volunteers’ Week 2021 

This week is Volunteers’ Week 2021, which celebrates the fantastic contribution that volunteers make to our communities. 

The Kent Volunteering Scheme recognises and supports student volunteers by offering rewards depending on how many volunteering hours you record. 

Find out more about volunteering opportunities at Kent 

Events for you to try this week:  

• Fiveweeks to self-confidence on Wednesday 2 June, 14.00-16.00 
• How to talk about your skills to employers on Thursday 3 June, 00-11.00 
• Outdoor cinema screening: Dazed and Confused on Friday 4 June, 21.30-23.00 
• The Summer Festival of Food: Flavours of Asia, 1-4 June
• Escapism:Online Paris Postgraduate Festival, 1-5 June 

Browse all events 

Have you read this?  

• How to stay calm on the day of an exam
• Online exams – including past papers, support and guidance
• Exam Calm events and support to help you feel prepared and relaxed for exams
• Kent Sport summer membership is back!
• Virtual summer school opportunities

Browse all student support 

Keep an eye on:  

• Student Guide
• Our Instagram stories
• University emails

Let us know what you think of these updates by emailing communications@kent.ac.uk  

1. Go for a walk

Getting outside can be a great way to clear your mind after an exam. After sitting at your desk for a long time, it can be really beneficial to get your body moving and to get some fresh air. Also, you can always spend this time listening to some music or a new podcast to take your mind off of the exam.

2. Watch a film

Having a movie night with friends or by yourself is a great way to relax. Pick a movie you’ve been wanting to watch for a while and reward yourself for all your hard work. Break out the popcorn and the pizza and enjoy yourself!

3. Take a long nap

After finishing an exam, it might feel like you need to go straight into revision for the next, but it’s important that you take some time to yourself in between. If you’re feeling drained, getting some sleep is vital to ensure you perform well in your next exam, as this will be far more beneficial than tiring yourself out. Take a nap to regain some energy and also to allow your body a break after a stressful exam. Hopefully this will also allow you to relax and feel better when you wake up!

4. Cook yourself a comfort meal

We all have a specific meal that just makes us feel a little better. Whether that’s something your mum always cooks at home or a new recipe you’re trying, having a comforting meal after a tough exam can help you to feel more positive.

5. Read a book

Reading is a great form of escapism, and can really allow you to switch off for a while. If you’re looking for some great book recommendations, reach out to friends and family, or maybe try a new book from an author you already like.

6. Remember that you did your best

Even where you might feel that an exam went badly, often you will have actually done better than you thought, and you’re just overthinking! Remember that you no longer have control of the exam, and that it’s not worth focussing on what went wrong. Instead, try to think positively and focus on the fact that you got through it and did the best you could in the circumstances.

This week we’re celebrating all things biking. The awareness week is delivered by Cycling UK. There are loads of ways to get out and get active on campus, here’s a few:

Pilgrims Hospices Cycle Challenge Sunday 22 August 2021

If you love to challenge yourself while raising money for a fantastic charity, then this will be right up your street! Take in the sights of the beautiful Kent countryside as you tackle one of 5 cycling routes; from a gentle 30 mile route, through to The Epic, a 125 mile route that will really test your strength and endurance. Riders will sign-in and set-off from The Pavilion on the Canterbury campus. Find out more about the Pilgrims Hospices Cycle Challenge and sign up.

Kent Connected

Kent Connected is a Kent County Council sustainable transport initiative aimed at encouraging commuting by bike and other sustainable forms of travelling and working. As part of the project, KCC have produced some videos showcasing local cycle routes.

Cycling in Medway

There are lots of places to explore by bike in Medway. Check out this Medway council cycling leaflet for some bike ride ideas to go on with family and friends.

Indoor cycling

If indoor cycling is more your thing, Kent Sport offers a range of options for all activity and ability levels. Join our qualified spin instructors in our studio for 45-minutes of spinning fun, or if you prefer to go solo, jump on one of many exercise bikes in our gym. Why not try our Watt Bikes for that extra difficulty and cycling analysis. Check out our summer membership offer for students or see if you’re eligible for free membership.

Check bike is fit for purpose

Before you go out on your bike, check your bike is fit for purpose. Always take the time to check your breaks and lights are working properly and that the reflectors are clean. Don’t forget to check your tyre pressures and tread.

Bicycle Repair Guide – a great free guide on how to repair and look after your bike with video tutorials. For more cycling safety advice, visit the Transport Team safety webpages.

Congratulations to PHD student Callum O’Malley (School of Sports and Exercise Sciences, Division of Natural Sciences) for his acceptance to the Cumberland Lodge Scholarship at the Cumberland Lodge Society. Only ten students nationwide are offered this scholarship across all disciplines. The main purpose of the scholarship is to improve the inclusivity and dissemination of research.

We spoke to Callum to find out more:

What made you apply for the scholarship?

‘In fact, I had come across the Cumberland Lodge and Scholarship on the Kent Scholarships page. I aim to go into post-doc work and academia post-PhD, therefore some individual grant funding to start building my research portfolio and grant record is quite a big focus and the Cumberland Lodge seemed a good start to apply and get some experience with the process. I had my eye on the scholarship a few months before it opening for applications which I used to prepare and research around the Cumberland Lodge a little more.

In addition, the scholarship is involved with Outreach work which I am already quite heavily involved with both at Kent and at my previous institution. There is the opportunity to collaborate with individuals from other areas with a shared interest in outreach. I hope to carry on my research (which is in line with our “Future Human” signature theme) with some people from other areas to help diversify my work.’

Read the rest of the story on our Sports and Exercise Sciences news.

Take part in a virtual summer school at one of our partner universities. A great opportunity to learn with top academics and enjoy diverse cultural activities without flight and accommodation costs.

Do you have plans for Summer 2021?

Kent is pleased to offer various virtual summer schools being delivered by our partner universities.  Many are offering full scholarships or discounts to participate.  Now is a great time to learn something new, try a course that you may not be able to study here at Kent or help to enhance your studies ready for next term.  Courses on offer range from Film to Buddhism, Introduction to Cantonese to European Cultural Studies, Sustainable Development to Techpreneurship.

See all our Virtual Summer School opportunities here

In addition to any scholarships offered by the host university, Kent is also able to offer some financial support to those students who meet the following criteria:

• From a family with a combined annual parental income of under GBP 25,000, or
• The first person in their family to go to university, or
• A care leaver or who are care-experienced, or
• Have caring responsibilities, or
• Refugees and asylum seekers

How to apply

• Review the virtual summer schools available, including checking the full costs.
• Identify a first and second choice (if applicable) of summer school,
• Email goabroad@kent.ac.uk with your expression of interest
• Submit an application form for the Virtual Summer School Fund

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the funding is distributed to eligible candidates or the deadline for the summer schools have passed.  T&Cs available on request.

Visit the Kent Community Oasis Garden to discuss sustainability and wellbeing, and take home your own herb, tomato, or flower seed.

You will be shown around the Kent Community Oasis Garden and find out how to get involved. While you make the paper pots for the plants, we’ll discuss re-using packaging for planting seeds and recycling on campus. You will learn about seeds, what they need to thrive, and you will get to choose a herb, tomato or flower seed to take home and grow. You will need to save some everyday items to use for your planting: for example, bring the cardboard inside of toilet rolls, trays from mushrooms or vegetables, tins from soup or beans etc (food containers need to be washed and allowed to dry).

Feedback from students from the first session

“I didn’t even know this beautiful space existed!”

“I would love to come back and spend more time in the garden.”

“Using general household items for planting is genius!”

Book online now

• Wednesday 2 June- book now
• Wednesday 9 June- book now
• Wednesday 16 June- book now

Tickets are limited, so please choose one 30 minute time slot when booking:

• 14.00-15.00
• 15.00-15.30
• 15.30-16.00
• 16.00-16.30

The College and Community Life team will email you more information on finding the Kent COG closer to the session and if you have any questions, please contact us at cclteam@kent.ac.uk.

Please follow @unikent_ccl on Instagram for news on a wide variety of events and activities taking place throughout the year.