Category Archives: Student Guide

close up of doctors arms holding stethoscope

Changes to GP services in the Medway local area

From Clare Delap, Engagement Lead, NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group

I am writing to let you know about some changes to local GP services and to ask for your views.

Not registered with a GP service in Medway? 

If, like many students, you spend more weeks of the year at your university address than your family’s address, you need to register with a GP near your university as soon as possible.

That way you can receive emergency care if you need it, and access health services quickly and easily while you’re away.

See information on how to register with a GP.

For students using GP services in Medway

NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is planning the future of five GP sites in Medway:

  • St Mary’s Island Surgery, Chatham
  • Green Suite at Balmoral Gardens Healthy Living Centre, Gillingham
  • Twydall Clinic, Twydall
  • Pentagon Centre (Boots), Chatham
  • Sunlight Centre Surgery, Gillingham

The five sites were previously managed by DMC Healthcare until July 2020 when, following concerns about quality and safety, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) took urgent enforcement action. The CCG then awarded a 12-month contract to Medway Practices Alliance Ltd (MPA). MPA, which is rated ‘good’ by the CQC, is the GP federation that brings together practices and GPs from across Medway to provide quality healthcare.

We know that many students from the University of Kent Medway Campus are registered at Pentagon and the Sunlight Centre. If you are registered with any of these practices, please be assured that you do not need to do anything as services will continue to be provided by MPA until September. You can contact your surgery in the usual way on 01634 890712.

The CCG has been hearing from patients and local communities and is currently speaking to local GPs to make a long-term plan for all the patients registered.

It is important that we also hear from students. To give us your views please email: Kmccg.engage@nhs.net by Friday 26 March 2021.

In particular we want to know:

  1. Whether you are registered with a GP practice in Medway?
  2. If you are not registered, can you tell us why?
  3. Which Medway GP practice are you registered with?
  4. What matters most to you when using a GP practice?
  5. If you have any experience of using these Medway GP services over the past year, how satisfied are you with the services and why?

We will be writing to all patients registered at these practices again in the coming months to let you know about our proposals for these sites and to find out what you think. We will communicate with students again through the University.

In the meantime, I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours,

Clare Delap

Engagement Lead

NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group

Creative careers week

Creative Careers Week (8-12 March)

Creative Careers Week brings together a series of virtual talks, panel discussions and student Q and As delivered by employers, alumni, staff, departments including the Careers and Employability Service, Institute of Cultural and Creative Industries and the Gulbenkian who will share advice and information as well as answer questions from students and alumni about creative careers.

It’s a great way to gain Employability Points before the 15 March deadline! There are several events offered for you to join which include:

  • Attend Careers in Film and Media – Working in the Film Industry (with Sajid Varda, Producer & Actor, CEO & Founder of UK Muslim Film)
  • Hear from industry experts and get a chance to ask questions to our Working in heritage panel
  • Hear from an employer supporting junior creatives at How to get a job in the Creative Industry
  • Find out about Careers in Digital Media – at the alumni Q+A panel
  • Listen in and learn with An interview with actor Benjamin Peter Jones
  • ‘All Smoke & Mirrors’ – How to get that first job in the creative arts industry.
  • Hear and ask questions from recent Film, Drama and Theatre graduates at the Creative Insight Alumni Panel
  • Join Kent alumni for a panel discussion on working in the Publishing industry at Publishing for a Living

There are many more! See the full programme of events which includes details on how to book your place.

You can also follow The University of Kent’s Careers and Employability Service LinkedIn page to keep up to date with what is on each day as well as see – A Spotlight on the Creative Industries – which cover different types of creative careers each day, created by the Gulbenkian and RE:Generation 2031, and see the latest podcast from Oliver Double, the Proper Job Gradcast on Wednesday 10 March.

Kent Africa Summit 2021: Redefining African Identity

Article by the Kent Africa Summit Team

We would like to warmly welcome you to Kent Africa Summit 2021!

This year, the theme of the summit is “Redefining the African Identity in the 21st Century” – as we seek to have conversations on what it means to be an African today, and use those conversations to build and inform the future of the African continent.

The Kent Africa Summit was borne from a need to create a platform to bring together individuals and generations from differing backgrounds to talk about how we as a community can reflect on our history, analyse current affairs, and discuss matters to push for change and development. It brings together participants from around the globe, and provides exceptional opportunities for individuals to network, engage in conversation, and to leave with a greater understanding of the multi-faceted identity of the African continent.

Year after year, the conference has been a highlight of student-run events on the University of Campus, featuring a full day of talks with a gala dinner afterwards. However, given COVID-19 and its disruption to our everyday lives, we have had to reimagine this year’s summit.

This year, we are welcoming you to the first virtual Kent Africa Summit, in which we will have various panel discussions taking place between 8 – 12 March 2021. A selection of speakers include Nyasha Mugavazi of Kugali Media, and Sena Voncujovi, an African Spirituality Activist.

The topics of discussion will include creative industries in Africa, African spirituality, mental health in black communities and more. Though we have adjusted some aspects of the summit, our core aims remain the same. The summit will still provide participants with the opportunity to hear from inspiring leaders, teachers, and creatives with a passion for African stories.

We welcome you to take this summit, and we hope it will be an enjoyable and insightful experience for all.

Tickets to sign up to the event can be found on the Eventbrite website 

And follow us on our Instagram and Twitter accounts too, where we’ll be sharing updates on the speakers invited for the conference.

 

Help Kent Sport Travel to Tokyo!

To celebrate the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Kent Sport are inviting you to get active!

The Sports Development team are challenging Kent students and staff to walk, jog or cycle the distance from Canterbury to Tokyo – that’s 8000 miles!

It’s more important than ever to keep active, and Travel to Tokyo encourages staff and students to log their miles to reach their 8000 mile total before the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games start in July 2021.

It’s a group effort and every mile counts! Whether it’s a walk on your lunch break, a Saturday cycle or a quick 5km, make sure you sign up to the Travel to Tokyo challenge and log your miles.

To sign up, visit Kent Sport’s blog

Follow the Templeman Library wellbeing calendar to chill out and relax

An article from Templeman Library:

With so much going on this term (both at the University and beyond), and as we head towards the exam season it’s really important to find a balance between time for study and time for yourself.

We’ve pulled together a wellbeing calendar with a wide range of ideas and resources that will hopefully help you de-stress, prepare for exams and get through the next few weeks feeling calmer and more relaxed.

Click on the image below and bookmark the calendar so you can take time out for yourself and brighten your day!

woman using laptop

What’s on this week: Covid-19 WebChat, LinkedIn jobhunting and managing stress workshop

What’s on: 1-7 March 2021

This week is National Careers Week and Thursday is University Mental Health Day so we have a series of careers and wellbeing events, as well as support, for you to get involved in.

Student WebChat: Covid-19 update on Wednesday 3 March, 13.00-14.00

We are running a Student WebChat this week to go through what the easing of lockdown means for you.

Sign-up and submit your questions for the Covid-19 WebChat on 3 March

Events for you to try this week:

Browse all events

Have you read this?

Browse all student support

Keep an eye on:

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

overhead view of laptop with person typing and plant on desk

Support and opportunities for your final year

In a year quite unlike any other…. we’re here to help you as you prepare for your final-year exams, assignments and dissertations, as well as helping you to choose the career path that’s right for you – whether you want to progress to postgraduate study or want to stand out in the jobs market.

If you are in your final year of study and need support with what to do next, don’t worry, help is at hand. We have professional teams of staff who are dedicated to helping you make the most of your time here at Kent and to help you reach your potential.

Information Services have teamed up with the Student Learning and Advisory Service and the Careers and Employability Service to offer a wide range of advice and support, from one-to-one appointments, skills development, careers events, presentations and workshops, digital resources, online guides and lots more.

More information

  • Careers and Employability Service
    • career planning, job hunting and applications, postgraduate study, volunteering, employability points
  • Information Services
    • subject support from our liaison librarians, library resource guides, research skills, digital library, software to help you study, exam help reading list, careers and employability reading list
  • Student Learning and Advisory Service
    • one to one academic advice appointments, maths and stats clinics, online study guides and video tutorials, bespoke embedded study skills sessions and academic peer mentoring (APM) training.

Check out our Finalist webpages for more information, events and support in your final year.

man sat at laptop drawing

What’s on: 22-28 February 2021

This week’s events include preparation for online job assessment centres, guided online meditation and the conclusion of the LGBTQ+ History Month celebration. There’s also a postgraduate open event for any undergrads wanting to know about further study opportunities.

Today we are also expecting a Government announcement regarding Covid-19 and the current national lockdown. Please keep an eye on your student emails later in the week for an update.

Events for you to try this week:

Browse all events

Have you read this?

Browse all student support

Keep an eye on:

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

Multicoloured pencils joined to make a circle

Study Plus opportunities this week (22-26 February)

Our Study Plus scheme provides a range of free short-term courses and workshops which can enhance your graduate employability skills alongside your main subject specialism. Here are some of the upcoming events you can sign up for:

Study Plus Can I say that? An introduction to inclusive language and reclaimed words by Sal Pearman, Monday 22 February 14.30-16.30 

The focus of this session the focus will be around language, phrasing, championing and challenging. We will share best practice models, research and advice to ensure attendees feel confident to talk about Equality and Identity in an inclusive and thoughtful way. In the workshop we will explore:

  • Can I say that? Looking at current news stories and challenges
  • Exploring what we mean by ‘tone of voice’ in organisations
  • Guiding principles and best practice
  • Weaponised language and reclaimed words
  • Surgery session

Study Plus – LGBT What does it mean? by Sal Pearman, Tuesday 23 February 13.00-15.00

This two-hour webinar will create an opportunity to better understand it’s context in championing and supporting people’s rights, it’s context within the law, and what positive steps we can take. We will cover

  • What does LGBT+ mean?
  • What are the separate identities and communities that make up the LGBT banner?
  • How homophobia, biphobia and transphobia can creep into our everyday language and behaviours
  • What we can all do to be better LGBT+ allies
  • Space for questions and storytelling

Study Plus – Developing a Growth Mindset by Ali Whelan, Wednesday 24 February 11.00-12.30

Overall objective = To promote the concept of continuous personal development, positive curiosity and resilience to succeed.

  • What is a growth mindset
  • Fixed mindset v Growth Mindset – 5 key areas
  • The power of ‘yet’
  • The role of feedback

Study Plus – ASPIRE Workshop 11 – What do investors want? Wednesday 24 February 15.00-17.00

Have you got what it takes to walk into the dragons’ den? Find out what investors are looking for in a start-up and how to build an investible business.

Study Plus – Presentation Skills Part 1 By Leanne Davies, Thursday 25 February 13.00-16.00

The aim of this learning experience is to assist you to plan and practice your next presentation (whether it be Virtual or Face-to-Face) so that you can deliver it with confidence, keep your audience engaged and make your message memorable.

Study Plus – Goal setting and Action Planning by Jeffrey Wotherspoon, Friday 26 February 14.00-15.30

  • Learn the benefits of goal setting and why you should set them
  • Explore a perspective that makes goal setting motivational and encouraging rather than a pressured activity that causes disappointment
  • Learn a framework to use to set goals and tips on how to make it work for you
  • Set goals and develop an action plan

Learn more about Study Plus.

Sustainability collage

Sustainability consultation – have your say!

The Sustainability Team has opened up a number of key strategies for consultation to get student and staff’s say on sustainability at the University.

The University has a number of operational strategies that support our transition to a more sustainable institution which are due for renewal this summer. The Sustainability Team are running an open consultation on some of these strategies as they go through the process of being refreshed over this academic year. The strategies are owned by a number of departments across the University including the Estates Department, the Safety, Health and Environment and Kent Hospitality.

The strategies include our Carbon Management Plan; Sustainable Food; Landscape and Biodiversity; and Waste and Recycling strategies.

The Sustainability Team have put together a consultation form for each strategy asking for students and staff to input their thoughts and ideas on a number of sustainability issues across our operational work. Collaboration is key to the work that we do in the Sustainability team and we need to hear from staff and students across the organisation to help us navigate the complex road to sustainability.

Reponses from these forms will be collated by the Sustainability Team and fed back to the strategy owner where they will be reviewed. Not all responses and ideas will make it in to the final strategies as decisions around affordability, timescales and achievability will have to be made. However, we are hopeful that we can get a real insight into your priorities that we can then reflect in our short and longer term targets, as well as integrate ideas that we would not have come up with ourselves.

The initial consultation will be open for 4 weeks closing on 19 March . Full details of the timeline and links to the consultation forms can be found on our website.