Register with the Santander Scholarships programme by 20 November for chance to win £1,000!
10 Kent students will win £1,000 for simply registering online with the Santander Scholarship programme. Register now.
Through the programme you can:
becas-santander.com #SantanderUniUK
Did you know that one in every hundred students in our Kent community has said that they identify as transgender or gender non-conforming? However we suspect this number might be much higher.
Recent figures show that the number of UK students who define themselves as neither male nor female has more than doubled in the last two years. LGBTQ+ rights charity Stonewall explains that people are becoming increasingly confident to be themselves, thanks to more social acceptance and visibility of different sexual and gender identities.
At Kent we hope to further our inclusive community, eradicate prejudice, and support one another.
On this subject, Lynne Regan, a senior member of the Student Support and Wellbeing team on the Medway campus, who also recently completed her Doctorate on the experiences of trans students at uni, explains how small actions of recognition and awareness of trans students can have a big impact:
‘Rainbow lanyards are available for staff and students from most college and library receptions at Canterbury and Medway. Designed around the “Inclusion Flag” which incorporates the Pride rainbow flag with pink, blue, brown and black representing the trans community and people of colour within the LGBT+ community. Wearing the lanyards shows students that they can ‘bring their whole selves’ to you without fear of judgement or an unsupportive reaction. One of the interview participants in my study stated “I love that many of the lecturers wear these lanyards with the rainbow pattern on them, which signals to the students that they are LGBTQ+ allies and can be approached… I like that I have someone I can actually turn to very visibly… It makes me feel very welcome.”
‘Another thing you can do is to use inclusive language and respect pronouns. If someone has told you the pronouns that they use, then respect this. Use the pronouns they have asked you to use. Do not assume pronouns based on the way someone looks or sounds.’
You can report incidents of assault, harassment, and hate via the REPORT + SUPPORT tool, with or without giving your name. Even if you don’t choose to request support, by reporting an incident you will help to make the University a safer place for all.
Help us create a university community which belongs to all students, and where all students feel they belong by sharing this information on transgender awareness. #InclusiveKent
Follow @UniKentSSW on social media for more information on support at Kent. If you’d like to comment on or contribute to a podcast or article for Student Services, email us at StudentServicesWeb@kent.ac.uk.
Written by Joshua Stevens and Natalia Crisanti, Student Services, 02.11.22
Make your logo design the symbol of Canterbury’s Safer Streets initiatives from the recent government grant.
The Canterbury Safety Partnership has been successful in securing government Safer Streets 4 funding to dedicate towards safety and perception of safety in Canterbury. This grant supports the development of training, safety resources, a central website and safety packs for patrons of Night Time Economy (pubs, clubs and bars) in the city, alongside other exciting projects.
Under this umbrella the project will look at information regarding consent and harassment, drinks spiking, alcohol awareness, getting home safe, respect and inclusion, and reporting methods for students and members of the public. There will also be new initiatives and resources tackling Violence Against Women and Girls.
Canterbury has a huge student community, and the we want students to define the vision of this project. We require a logo to brand and connect project materials produced under the Safer Streets grant, which clearly promotes safety in Canterbury. This logo needs to be bold and eye-catching and represent the values and goals of this project.
Read our project brief for more information on how to get involved and make your submission! There will be a prize for the winning logo entry and honourable mentions.
The deadline for the competition is Monday 21 November 2022 23:59.
2022 has seen the Centre for Child Protection (CCP) celebrate its 10th anniversary. To end the celebrations, the CCP introduced an award for child protection professionals engaged in outstanding creative, effective, and collaborative practices across disciplines, with an awards ceremony held on Wednesday 9 November.
Strong collaboration and cooperation is is essential in child safeguarding work to keep children safe. Multidisciplinary collaboration is routinely raised as a concern and is highlighted as a key area for further development and learning. CCP regularly hears good examples of strong practices that should be recognised and celebrated alongside the promotion of learning to promote effective working.
Congratulations to our winners of the Centre for Child Protection Collaboration Award 2022!
The Vulnerable Adolescent Panel was created due to the growing problem of extrafamilial harm, which presents a risk to young people in our communities and creates challenges for professionals. The panel consists of health, police, children’s social care and the youth offending service who have worked together to achieve a shared sense of ownership and responsibility for success.
The panel provides a forum for timely and robust expert guidance, advice to professionals and information sharing between agencies who are working with young people at risk of extrafamilial harm. The time and dedication required to create this show a systemwide commitment to tackling child exploitation.
The young carers services deliver specialist support to children and young people ages between 5-18 living in Ynys Môn who have caring responsibilities at home. Ynys Môn local authority prides itself on collaborative working, resulting in greater communication between services, effective information sharing and efficient early intervention. They are also dedicated to offering their services in Welsh and English so they can successfully communicate with all children and young people.
JAGS was initiated in response to learning which identified a need for ringfenced time to reflect on challenges and barriers to intervention in complex cases. JAGS provides a reflective space for joint analysis to learn together and understand the family’s lived experiences. JAGS works across children’s social care, health, education, and police and has supported collaborators to move from feeling ‘helpless’ and ‘frustrated’, to feeling ‘confident’ and ‘enthusiastic’. This has led to strong multi-agency working, understanding of different roles, improved communication, and advocacy for children.
Are you making the most of all the support and services on offer at our Medway campus? Here’s a quick guide of the support on offer and where to go to access it.
The Medway Student Admin Team is responsible for student registration, online registration, record updating and much more. You can find them on the ground floor of Rochester Building.
Learn about all the ways the Student Admin Team can support you from council tax exemption to replacing your Kent ID card.
As a Medway student you’re part of Medway College. Look out for events run by your Medway Residential Life Assistants. They can also offer you support. Learn more about College and Community Life and follow them on Instagram.
The Student Finance Team are committed to helping you understand the cost of study, how to manage your money and how to take full advantage of any financial support you are eligible for.
The team are based on the ground floor of the Medway Building and are available via email and telephone Monday to Friday 9.00-17.00.
There’s a wealth of information around careers on the CES webpages. You can also join career events and book an appointment with a Careers Advisor.
Find the Medway Careers Team on the ground floor of the Gillingham Building.
Student Support and Wellbeing supports students who have a disability, mental health condition, long term medical condition, autistic spectrum condition and/or specific learning difficulty, whether already diagnosed or suspected.
Our Advisers can help with Inclusive Learning Plans, study support, Disabled Students’ Allowance and counselling. They can also provide specialist support to students who have experienced sexual assault/harassment.
Medway Student Support and Wellbeing are based on the ground floor of Gillingham Building, room G0-05. You can pop in any time Monday-Friday 9.00-17.00, telephone 01634 888474, email MedwaySSW@kent.ac.uk, or complete our registration form.
SLAS are here to advise you academically whether you’re an undergraduate or postgraduate student. They hold bitesize (15 minute) online events on topics to help you with your studies. You can also book a 1:1 advice appointment.
Lynne Martin, our Medway Campus Chaplain, is here to support you through your academic journey, providing a listening ear for all students of any faith or no faith.
Find Lynne in the Chaplain’s Office in Pilkington (003/004) or you can email medwaycampuschaplain@gre.ac.uk. You can also follow the Medway Campus Chaplaincy Facebook page to find out about upcoming events.
With so much to think about with your studies, you may find you need help with housing questions, your finances, or academic concerns. This might feel a little overwhelming so it is important to remember that you can access The Hub’s free Advice Service for confidential and impartial advice helping you make an informed decision to keep you on track.
Drill Hall Library offers a variety of study spaces from individual silent study booths to relaxing sofas in the group zone. You can contact the Library Team by emailing dhlhelp@medway.ac.uk or calling 01634 883878. Get the latest news from your library on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
Campus Security are on campus 24/7, 365 days a year. You can find Campus Security on the ground floor of the Medway Building next to reception. Come say hi and pick up a free personal safety alarm.
Try something new and feel connection, create community and lift your spirits… We are delighted to invite you to join the University Community Choir, meeting weekly on Canterbury campus.
Singing in a Choir has many benefits, it’s informal, social, and helps you focus on something different as part of a group. Most importantly it’s fun!
It’s free to join, and there are no auditions, and you don’t need to be able to read music. Come along to meet others, or bring a friend.
Upcoming dates for Autumn Term
Spread the word to anyone else (staff or student) who might enjoy this opportunity. If you have any questions, please email Mita Mondal, Email: mm595@kent.ac.uk
On Thursday 17 November from 11:30-14:30, we will have a British Heart Foundation (BHF) pop-up shop in the Colyer Fergusson Foyer, on the right hand side of the Gulbenkian.
Come along and grab a bargain, perhaps a new party dress for Christmas, or a new winter coat!
You’re also welcome to bring along any donations of clothes, CDs, DVDs and books – BHF donation bags available at each college Reception, Parkwood Reception and Estates Customer Services.
We hope to see you there.
CSE Waste & Recycling Team
Kent Union is holding Strike Forums to gather student opinion about the upcoming University and College Union (UCU) strike action and to decide whether Kent Union should support the action or not.
This is an opportunity to hear both sides of the dispute, with members of UCU and the University’s Senior Leadership offering their perspectives. Students are encouraged to ask questions, and use this as an opportunity to fully understand the background of and types of action that they will see during the strikes.
Strike Forum dates
Yesterday the University & College Union announced national strike action at 150 universities across the country. This will take the form of strikes on the 24, 25 and 30 November, along with ‘Action Short of a Strike’ until further notice. At this stage this does not include a marking and assessment boycott.
The strikes are part of a national dispute over pay, pensions and working conditions across the university sector. As an individual institution, we don’t have a major influence over the negotiations which take place at national level between UCU and both Universities UK and UCEA. Our hope is that through discussion all parties can come to an agreement that works for everyone – all of us want to work in a sector where staff are well rewarded for their hard work, but the same cost of living squeeze felt by people across the country also has an impact on the finances of universities too.
Our priority initially will also be ensuring we minimise any impact on students as far as we can. We will shortly be sending an update to students which will set out our principles in responding to industrial action, including that we will do all we can to limit the impact on their studies and that we will never devalue their degree or coursework.
Alongside this we will shortly publish student and staff information which will be regularly updated throughout. This will include the background to the strikes, what we have been doing at Kent to address the issues being discussed, what happens on strike days, plus links to wider support. These will be regularly updated throughout.
Working groups are also meeting this week to manage our response to strikes across the University, while there will be a number of opportunities for students to have their say, including via the Strike Forums organised by Kent Union.
NHS vaccination teams will be at the Old Bank, Canterbury campus TODAY 13:30-15:30 (Wednesday 9 November) to offer Covid-19 vaccinations.
Who can get vaccinated?
Under 50s can receive the 1st, 2nd or 3rd Covid vaccine. If you’re clinically vulnerable or live within the household of someone who is clinically vulnerable, you can get the Covid booster.
All over 50s can receive the flu vaccine and the Covid booster.
If you are unsure if you are eligible, please go to the vaccination pop-up where the team will advise you.
Find out more information about Covid-19 vaccination. See student FAQs for Covid-19 vaccination.