Looking after friendships and relationships

Reach out, check in - a new initiative by your Students' Union Welfare and Wellbeing Officer

Life is pretty different at the moment. There are restrictions on being able to meet friends in person, a lot more students are studying off-campus and we’re faced with the challenge of adapting to new situations. This has an undeniable effect on how we socialise and means it’s totally valid to be feeling more alone or isolated than normal.

 That’s why the Students' Union are launching the ‘Reach out, check in’ campaign with a very simple message: to encourage you to reach out and check in on those around you. Contacting a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while takes five minutes out of your day but can make the world of difference. 

Find out more information here.

Unhealthy relationships and Domestic violence  

Domestic abuse takes place within relationships or families where one person bullies or controls another. Abuse can affect people across society regardless of age, gender, race, sexuality, wealth and geography. 

 Abuse may take many forms: stalking, sexual assault, rape, harassment, physical assault, emotional abuse such as being prevented from seeing your friends and financial factors such as not having sufficient control over your money, coercion and control. 

Here is the NHS guidance on getting help and support for domestic violence, including: 

If you are concerned that you are experiencing abuse you should contact the Police by ringing 101, or if it is an emergency, 999. 

If you are local to Nottingham you can also access support from specialist support services listed below.

Support in Nottingham

• GP/family doctor 

• Equation

  • Equation campaign: Help a friend videos in English, Arabic, Polish and Romanian.

• Notts SVSS

• Topaz centre

• Juno Women's Aid

University Support  

If you are feeling unsafe in the place where you are residing, as well as getting help from the above services, please also consider contacting the University, as we will be able to offer you additional advice and support.  

You may feel unsafe from family members or a partner or ex-partner or it may be a friendship which has become difficult.  Relationships with friends can also become unhealthy and abusive, and whilst this may not be identified as domestic abuse, can impact negatively on students’ well-being and safety. This can particularly be the case when students are sharing accommodation. If you are worried that a housemate or close friend is causing you harm, please contact the University for advice and support. 

It can be hard to understand if the problems you are experiencing are abuse and this can be a barrier to seeking help.  If you are concerned that you have experienced harassment or abuse and are not sure what to do, please speak to one of our services so that we can help you better understand what is happening and discuss  the support options available with you. 

 University services that are here to help: 

• University Security service continues to provide a 24 hour presence on all campuses. They are a point of contact and support for students who are feeling at risk wherever  that student is living. You can contact Security Control at any time, however if it is urgent, please use the emergency number. 
• The Support and Wellbeing Officers can provide guidance, help and advice if you're experiencing difficulties and help identify other services that you may need to contact. 
• If you are living off campus and need support with issues such as self-isolation or other community concerns you may benefit from support from the Off Campus Affairs Team. 
• The University Counselling Service offers free, confidential support to students registered at The University of Nottingham.  You can self-refer for counselling on line but if you need more urgent advice about your situation, you may need to contact the duty counsellor who is available during the working week and can be contacted by e mailing the service.