Support and Wellbeing - Royal Northern College of Music

Support and Wellbeing - Royal Northern College of Music
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Support and Wellbeing
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About
College Information
Support and Wellbeing
Student wellbeing is a priority and we’re dedicated to ensuring that the RNCM is a safe and comfortable environment for everyone within our community.
RNCM Health and Wellbeing Hub
Our Health and Wellbeing Hub is a group of support and academic staff dedicated to helping you to feel safe, be resilient and to flourish. Hub staff are committed to promoting health and wellbeing at the College, including through teaching and research, and we are not only here for when things get difficult. As a team of specialists, we provide advice, support and, where appropriate, referrals to other services.
Our Health and Wellbeing Hub is made up of:
John Habron-James:
Head of Music, Health and Wellbeing
Jane Gray:
Head of Student Disability and Wellbeing
Emily Mason and Emma Woodward:
Student Disability and Wellbeing Advisors
Jean Ammar:
Head of English Language Support
Sarah Murphy:
English Language Support Tutor
Sara Ascenso:
Lecturer in Musicians’ Health and Wellbeing
Su Harrison and Pete Robinson:
Alexander Technique Tutors
Sue Mallinson, Bryan Fox and Wendy Traynor:
Counsellors
‘We are here to help you access any support that you may need to look after your wellbeing so that you feel you can cope well with everyday life and do well in your studies. Whatever it is, we’re here for you so please do just get in touch. We’re always happy to hear from you no matter how big or small your issue may feel.’
Jane Gray and Emily Mason
International Students
Studying abroad is a big step for many students but our dedicated
admissions team
are on hand at every stage of the journey. This includes application guidance, English Language support (both Pre-Sessional and In-Sessional English) and visa and immigration advice. We also have an elected Student Diversity Representative to ensure your views are heard during your studies.
For more information, email
[email protected]
Disability, Medical Conditions, Mental Health and Specific Learning Difficulties
The RNCM welcomes disabled students and those with long-term conditions (including Specific Learning Difficulties and mental health problems). The term ‘disability’ covers a range of medical and mental health conditions and impairments.
How the RNCM can help you
The Student Wellbeing Advisors offer advice and practical support for disability-related issues and are the first point of contact for students. It is helpful if you get in touch as early as possible so that support can be agreed and put in place. You will be invited to a confidential meeting to discuss any disability support arrangements (known as ‘reasonable adjustments’) for your programme of study. This information is documented on a Personal Learning Plan (PLP), and you will be asked to confirm by email that you consent to this being shared with teaching staff.
Evidence of disability is normally required before a PLP can be issued. For a specific learning difficulty this is usually a diagnostic report carried out by a suitably qualified psychologist or teacher. For medical/mental health conditions, evidence from a medical practitioner is usually required. Please note that students are not obliged to disclose a disability/impairment, but unless you do so we will be unable to provide appropriate support and adjustments cannot be made retrospectively. Disclosure can be made at any stage during the student journey.
Our Student Wellbeing Advisors can also advise you about:
Screening for specific learning difficulties (e.g. dyslexia)
Advice on applying for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA)
Specialist mental health support
Specialist physical support
Our Student Wellbeing Advisors are here to offer advice, guidance and support at any time before or during your time at RNCM. You can email them at
[email protected]
Student Counselling Service
Counselling provides an opportunity for you to explore any issues you may wish to talk about with someone who is not directly involved in the situation you are trying to deal with. This may be about anything that is on your mind, or which may be affecting you and/or the way you relate to others.
The College counsellors won’t pass judgement or give advice but try and assist you to find your own solutions. Their main concern is to help you discover a more fulfilling and satisfying way of leading your life.
The service is free of charge to registered students and anything you choose to bring to counselling will be treated with confidentiality.
If you are a current student, you can
register here
For more information about the service email
[email protected]
Alexander Technique
Look, feel and sound better! The Alexander Technique teachers are ready to work with you to develop healthy habits for optimal performance at work, rest and play. Alexander Technique is a tried-and-tested approach for improving personal performance and avoiding undue effort or stress.
To arrange a lesson, email
[email protected]
For more information about Alexander Technique and lots of helpful videos, current students can visit the Moodle page.
Our Alexander Technique Tutors are:
Su Harrison
[email protected]
Pete Robinson
[email protected]
Lecturer in Musicians’ Health and Wellbeing
We know that when we are well, we learn better, we perform better, we develop better and we are able to have more sustainable careers as musicians too. Throughout your time here, you will have many opportunities to learn more about how to take good care of both your physical wellbeing and mental health.
Our Lecturer in Musicians’ Health and Wellbeing will deliver a whole range of exciting sessions across different modules. Equip is a series of wellbeing workshops for which you can sign up whenever you want to. We cover many wellbeing topics such as physical wellbeing, nutrition, sleep and prevention of injury, relaxation techniques, motivation, prevention and management of performance anxiety, focus, concentration and memorization strategies.
Current students should contact
[email protected]
or visit the Equip Moodle Page for more info.
Looking After Your Health
The
British Association of Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM)
has lots of information on their website about healthy practice and injury prevention. They run regular clinics in the RNCM and also offer free consultations for specialist, medical advice via their website.
If there is treatment that you need you may also be eligible for financial support from
Help Musicians
It is important that you register with a GP in Greater Manchester so that you can get the support and healthcare you need. Visit the
NHS website
for information about other NHS services.
For guidance and advice about any of these topics, contact our Student Wellbeing Advisors:
[email protected]
Mental Health First Aiders
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is the help offered to a person developing a mental health issue, experiencing a worsening of an existing mental health issue or in a mental health crisis.
Our trained Mental Health First Aiders are on hand to help you, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch with them.
Ciara Finney
[email protected]
Rebecca Mungovan
[email protected]
Simon Speake
[email protected]
Greg Skipworth
[email protected]
Dominic Wood
[email protected]
In an emergency
Call 999 in a medical or mental health emergency. This is when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.
NHS 111 can help if you need urgent medical help or you’re not sure what to do.
Togetherall
Togetherall
is a safe, online community where people support each other anonymously to improve mental health and wellbeing.
As an RNCM student you have free access to a 24/7 online global community and professional support from trained professionals. Togetherall provides a safe space online to get things off your chest, explore your feelings, get creative and learn how to self-manage your mental health and wellbeing.
Togetherall is:
• Completely free to use
• Anonymous, with no judgment or stigma
• Online for easy access with no waiting lists
• Monitored by mental health professionals 24/7
On Togetherall you can:
• Share your experiences with others in the community
• Read others’ stories and find comfort
in knowing you’re not alone
• Join a group based on a topic that’s important to you
• Respond to others’ posts with a kind word, phrase or advice
• Create art to express yourself because
sometimes words aren’t enough
• Read helpful articles, take wellbeing courses and self-assessments
to feel better on your terms, in your own time
Useful Resources
www.studentminds.org.uk
The UK’s student mental health charity
www.manchesterstudenthomes.com
A free, university-run housing service for students.
www.rncmsu.org.uk
All about our fab Students’ Union
www.gov.uk
Find UK government services and information
www.talktofrank.com
Facts, support and advice on drugs and alcohol
Reporting and Supporting Sexual Assault
Our college is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all students. We offer confidential reporting through
Raise It
, access to face-to-face disclosure and support with our Disability and Wellbeing Team and trained advisors who can guide students through the process of reporting sexual assault.
Additionally, we provide free confidential counselling services, referrals to external support organisations, and academic accommodations to support students’ wellbeing and educational success. Our dedicated staff also run awareness campaigns and workshops to foster a culture of respect and prevention on campus.
Useful resources:
St Mary’s
GMP
Survivor – Support pack
Survivors Manchester
Support and counselling for men who have been raped or sexually abused: 0808 800 5005
Trafford Rape Crisis
free support for women from women: 0800 783 4608
Manchester Rape Crisis
is a support service run by women for women and girls who have been raped or sexually abused: 0161 273 4500
Manchester Women’s Aid/Pankhurst Trust
Information, advice and support about domestic and sexual abuse/violence: 0161 660 7999
Galop
offer advice and support to LGBT+ people who have experienced hate crime, biphobia, homophobia, transphobia, sexual violence or domestic abuse: 0800 999 5428
LGBT Foundation
are a national charity based in Manchester delivering a wide range of services to lesbian, gay and bisexual and trans (LGBT) communities. As well as being a third party hate crime reporting centre, they also run a free monthly police advice clinic supporting with issues such as hate crime, domestic violence, bullying and homophobia: 0345 330 3030.
Victim Support
email support and 24 hour helpline: 0800 168 9111
Women’s Aid
information, advice, support for domestic and sexual abuse and violence: 0808 2000 24/7
Related Pages
RNCM Raise It!
Student Healthcare in Manchester
Information for Parents
Sexual Misconduct and Harassment Statement
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