Welfare FAQ

The Welfare Service is a confidential service that can provide pastoral and well-being support and advice for a wide range of issues and difficulties. We are not qualified counselors, but we offer a soft counseling service that we are happy to listen to and offer support to any issues you may have. We have found that some students like having a safe environment where they can talk to someone independently and have found this helpful in helping them to process what they are experiencing and work towards positive outcomes. We will provide you with an Action Plan.

The Welfare Service is here to help you with any personal challenges you may experience during your time at Mont Rose College and is able to advise you on a wide range of personal and Welfare issues that may impact your studies and day-to-day life, including:

• Personal Relationships
• Stress (Personal or Academic)
• Conflict
• Homelessness
• Abuse
• Feeling Lonely
• Reasonable adjustments
• Financial
• Social/Communication Impairment
• Visual Impairment
• Hearing Impairment
• Long Standing Illness/Health Condition
• Mental Health
• Learning difficulty
• Physical Health/Mobility Issues
• Pastoral Signposting

If you wish to contact the Welfare Service, you can do this in one of the following ways:

• Visit us on the 1^st Floor in Mont Rose house
• Email us at: welfareofficer@mrcollege.ac.uk
• Contact us: 0208-556-5009 ext.1022

If you have a personal challenge that is longer than 12 months (that your GP is aware of), then the Welfare Service can help you apply for Disability Support Allowance (DSA). We may also make reasonable adjustments to make your learning more comfortable, such as ergonomic furniture, laptop loan, hardship fund, buddy scheme, extensions, and academic support. Don’t worry if your condition is not longer than 12 months, as we can also provide reasonable adjustments to any student experiencing personal challenges. If you are not sure, please come and see the Welfare Service. We are located on the 1^st Floor.

Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is support to cover the study-related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long-term illness or any other disability. If you have had your personal challenge for longer than 12 months and your GP is aware then you may be eligible for DSA: which may give you support such as a printer, laptop, ergonomic furniture, specialist mentor, recording device, assistive technology and training and taxi to and from Mont Rose College. Please contact the Welfare Service to see if you are eligible. You can contact the Welfare Service in the following ways:

• Visit us on the 1^st Floor in Mont Rose House
• Email us at: welfareofficer@mrcollege.ac.uk
• Contact us: 0208-556-5009 ext.1022

If you would like to make a complaint, please do not be worried. Your experience at Mont Rose College must be a positive one. If your complaint is either general or academic, please email: complaints@mrcollege.ac.uk

If you are struggling with your assignments, you should try and approach your Tutor/Course Leader and explain why. The more you share with them, the more they may understand your situation and be able to work alongside you to find comfortable learning solutions. If you don’t feel comfortable approaching your Tutor/Course Leader, please come and visit the Welfare Service on the 1^st Floor of Mont Rose House . We may be able to support you in talking to your Tutor/Course Leader and, in partnership, look at things like an Academic Mentor, extension, etc.

If you cannot continue with your course due to personal reasons. It would be best to approach your Tutor/Course Leader. If you feel uncomfortable doing this, then please come and see the Welfare Service on the 1^st Floor. We may be able to support you when you speak to your Tutor/ Course Leader. We may also be able to support you when you speak to the Finance Team regarding your financial options/impact if you want to freeze (take a break) or withdraw from your course. We can also refer you to the Employability Team, if you need a job while you are not studying. We may also be able to provide you with the support you require to continue. It is ok to change your mind. It is about having an honest conversation with yourself and seeing what is best for you now.

There are many types of bullying/harassment. For example, you may be bullied because of your race, religion, gender, or sexuality. You may also be experiencing cyber, verbal or physical bullying. Whatever type of bullying you are experiencing, Mont Rose College has a zero tolerance on bullying. If you feel uncomfortable approaching the person/group who is bullying/harassing you, please approach your Tutor/Course Leader if this is happening to you or come and see the Welfare Service on the 1^st Floor. We will help you make a complaint and ensure a full investigation. We want you to feel safe and enjoy your experience at Mont Rose College.

If you have an addiction, please contact your GP or the Welfare Service. We are located on the 1^st Floor. We will be more than happy to advise/support you, signpost you the relevant services, and get you other support such as reasonable adjustments, hardship fund, laptop loan, academic mentor, extension, buddy scheme & DSA while you’re learning at Mont Rose College. You may also wish to look at the various support available for you on the following websites:

• Samaritans
• Rise
• ADFAM
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• FRANK
• Turning Point
• ADDACTION

It may also be useful while you are awaiting treatment to reach out to family & friends, if this is not an option for you, please feel free to come to the Welfare services. The Welfare Service understands everyone overcomes personal challenges differently, come in for a chat so we can help find you healthy coping strategies in the meantime.

If you are feeling anxious about something, please contact your GP or the Welfare Service. We are located on the 1^st Floor. We will be happy to advise/support you, signpost you the relevant services, and get you other support such as reasonable adjustments, hardship fund, laptop loan, academic mentor, extension, buddy scheme & DSA while you’re learning at Mont Rose College. You may also wish to look at the various support available for you on the following websites:

• Samaritans
• Anxiety UK

It may also be useful to maintain social connections during your time at Mont Rose College. You may also wish to practice Mindfulness. The Welfare Service understands it is not for everyone, but if you are interested, it involves things like taking a walk, meditation, watching a movie, listening to music, having a bath, getting enough sleep, exercising or anything that may make you feel better about yourself.

If you are worried about becoming homeless, please contact your Landlord or Local Council (Housing Team) or the Welfare Service. We are located on the 1^st Floor. We are more than happy to support you with advice, signpost you to relevant services, and help you apply for the hardship fund while you’re learning at Mont Rose College. You may also wish to look at the various support available for you on the following websites:

• Housing Association for your Borough
• Housing Benefit
• Citizen Advice Bureau for your Borough
• Legal Aid

It may also be useful to maintain social connections during your time at Mont Rose College. During this time it can be very hard to stay organised and on top of things, we can help you create an action plan and check in on you weekly to support you during this period.

If you have a long-term health condition such as any listed below, which impacts your everyday life. Please come to the Welfare Office on the 1st Floor of Mont Rose House. We will be happy to advise/support you, signpost you the relevant services, and get you other support such as reasonable adjustments, hardship fund, laptop loan, academic mentor, extension, buddy scheme & DSA while you’re learning at Mont Rose College.

Long term health conditions are:

• Diabetes
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• arthritis
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Epilepsy
• Autoimmune disorders (for example lupus, Sjögrens syndrome)
• Blood disorders (for example sickle cell, anaemia, Venous Thromboembolism (Blood Clots) Hemophilia Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) Sickle Cell Disease)
• Hepatitis B
• cystic fibrosis
• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Asthma
• Chronic migraines

 

You may also wish to look at the various support available for you on the following websites:

• Samaritans
• Cancer Support UK
• British Heart Foundation
• Diabetes UK
• NHS UK

It may also be useful while you are awaiting treatment to reach out to family & friends. You may also wish to practice Mindfulness. The Welfare Service understands it is not for everyone, but if you are interested, it involves things like taking a walk, meditation, watching a movie, listening to music, having a bath, getting enough sleep, exercising or anything that may make you feel better about yourself.

 If you have a visual impairment, please contact the Welfare Service we are located on the 1^st Floor. We will be more than happy to advise/support you and signpost you the relevant services and get you other support such as larger font lecture notes, reasonable adjustments, hardship fund, laptop loan, academic mentor, extension, buddy scheme & DSA while you’re learning at Mont Rose College. You may also wish to look at the various support available for you on the following websites:

• RNIB
• Retina UK

It may also be useful while you are awaiting treatment to reach out to family & friends. You may also wish to practice Mindfulness. The Welfare Service understands it is not for everyone, but if you are interested, it involves things like taking a walk, meditation, watching a movie, listening to music, having a bath, getting enough sleep, exercising or anything that may make you feel better about yourself.

If you have a hearing impairment, please contact your GP or the Welfare Service. We are located on the 1^st Floor. We will be more than happy to advise/support you and signpost you the relevant services and get you other support such as alerting you by text if there is a fire, a hearing loop in your class, reasonable adjustments, hardship fund, laptop loan, academic mentor, extension, buddy scheme & DSA while you’re learning at Mont Rose College. You may also wish to look at the various support available for you on the following websites:

• RNID

It may also be useful while you are awaiting treatment to reach out to family & friends. You may also wish to practice Mindfulness. The Welfare Service understands it is not for everyone, but if you are interested, it involves things like taking a walk, meditation, watching a movie, listening to music, having a bath, getting enough sleep, exercising or anything that may make you feel better about yourself.

If you have Autism, please contact your GP or the Welfare Service. We are located on the 1^st Floor. If possible, please bring your diagnosis letter with you so we can put the correct support in place based on what has worked for you in the past when you attended other educational environments. We will also be more than happy to advise/support you, signpost you the relevant services, and get you other support such as reasonable adjustments, hardship fund, laptop loan, academic mentor, extension, buddy scheme & DSA whilst you’re learning at Mont Rose College. You may also wish to look at the various support available for you on the following websites:

• National Autistic Society

It may also be useful to maintain social connections during your time at Mont Rose College. You may also wish to practice Mindfulness if you are worried about attending a new place. The Welfare Service understands it is not for everyone, but if you are interested, it involves things like taking a walk, meditation, watching a movie, listening to music, having a bath, getting enough sleep, exercising, or anything that may make you feel better about yourself.

If you have Dyspraxia/Dyslexia, please contact your GP or the Welfare Service. We are located on the 1^st Floor. We will be more than happy to advise/support you and signpost you the relevant services and get you other support such as possible funding for your assessment, coloured paper, preferred font on lecture notes, reasonable adjustments, hardship fund, laptop loan, academic mentor, extension, buddy scheme & DSA whilst you’re learning at Mont Rose College. You may also wish to look at the various support available for you on the following websites:

• https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk

It may also be useful to maintain social connections during your time at Mont Rose College. You may also wish to practice Mindfulness. The Welfare Service understands it is not for everyone, but if you are interested, it involves things like taking a walk, meditation, watching a movie, listening to music, having a bath, getting enough sleep, exercising, or anything that may make you feel better about yourself.

If you have mobility issues of any kind, please come to the Welfare Office on the 1st Floor of Mont Rose House. We are happy to advise/support you in accessing the relevant services and create an evacuation plan, ergonomic furniture for you in class, ground floor lectures (where possible), disabled parking, reasonable adjustments, hardship fund, laptop loan, academic mentor, extension, buddy scheme & DSA whilst you’re learning at Mont Rose College.

Many students’ financial circumstances can change while studying. MRC Hardship Funds can help students to ease up their financial burden.

If you need help, please email: hardshipfund@mrcollege.ac.uk

If you require a laptop, you can apply for our Laptop Loan Scheme. This is eligible for students who’s Tuition Fees are currently active. Please email:

The Welfare offers at-  Welfareofficer@mrcollgeg.ac.uk or

The Systems Analyst- vle@mrcollege.ac.uk

Having a “buddy” at Mont Rose College can significantly impact a student’s experience. Knowing there is someone there to listen who is genuinely interested in helping them can make a student feel supported and, perhaps, less alone and more likely to succeed.

If you are interested in taking part, please get in touch with the student union- mrcsu@mrcollege.ac.uk

The Employability Team can help you find a job. They can also help you with interview techniques and CV’s. Please email them at: employment@mrcollege.ac.uk

If you are experiencing Domestic Violence and not sure what to do please come to the Welfare office. We are located on the 1^st Floor of Mont Rose House. We will be more than happy to advise/support you and signpost you the relevant services within the college such as extensions and hardship funds. Externally we can help to signpost you organisations which can help you get out of the situation. You may also wish to look at the various support available for you on the following websites:

• National Domestic Abuse Helpline 24 hours a day- 08082000247. Online live chat is available
• Men’s Advice Line- phone:08088010327 website: info@mensadvice.org.uk
• Victim Support- 24/7 support line 08081689111 website:victim support.org.uk
• Womens Aid- Live chat options on the website: womensaid.org.uk/
• National LGBT+ Domestic ABuse Helpline: helpline- 08009995428 website: org.uk/get-help/

Please remember if you are in any intermediate harm, please do not hesitate to call 999.

Please feel free to come and talk to us if you are experiencing Domestic Violence in any form. We are a confidential service here to help support and keep you safe.

If you feel suicidal, have low moods, or have negative thoughts, please come to the Welfare Service and/or contact your GP. We are happy to support and signpost you to the relevant services and get you other support such as extension, buddy scheme & DSA while you’re learning at Mont Rose College. We can also sign post you to Mental health services who can give support. You may also wish to look at the various support available for you on the following websites:

• Shout Crisis: website: org A free confidential number you can text any time – day or night. Text SHOUT to 85258 to get text support
• Calm: Call 5pm-midnight 0800585858 website: net
• Switchboard- LGBT+ Helpline: call- 03003303630 open 10am-10pm website: lgbt
• National Sucide Prevention UK Helpline: 08006895652
• Samaritans: call or text at any time 988

Please remember if you are in any intermediate harm please do not hesitate to call 999.

Please feel free to come and talk to us at any time if you are experiencing any suicidal thoughts, low mood or any negative thoughts. We are a confidential service  here to help support and keep you safe

If you are suffering from Bereavement, please get in touch with your GP or the Welfare Service. We are located on the 1^st Floor. We will be more than happy to advise/support you and signpost you the relevant services and get you other support such as looking at the option of taking a break from your studies, reasonable adjustments, hardship fund, laptop loan, academic mentor, extension and buddy scheme while you’re learning at Mont Rose College. You may also wish to look at the various support available for you on the following websites:

• Samaritans
• Crisis Team for your Borough
• org.UK
• Volunteer UK

It may also be useful to maintain social connections during your time at Mont Rose College. You may also wish to practise Mindfulness. The Welfare Service understands it is not for everyone, but if you are interested, it involves things like taking a walk, meditation, watching a movie, listening to music, having a bath, getting enough sleep, exercise or anything that may make you feel better about yourself.

If you have been sexually assaulted, please get in touch with the Police (999) or the Welfare Service. We are located on the 1^st Floor. We will be more than happy to advise/support you, signpost you the relevant services, and get you other support such as reasonable adjustments, hardship fund, laptop loan, academic mentor, extension, buddy scheme & DSA whilst you’re learning at Mont Rose College. You may also wish to look at the various support available for you on the following websites:

• Samaritans
• nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/help-after-rape-and-sexual-assault/
• Survivors trust.org
• Victim support.org

Please remember if you are in any intermediate harm please do not hesitate to call 999.

Please feel free to come and talk to us at any time if you have/are experiencing sexual assault. We are a confidential service here to help support and keep you safe.

If you are pregnant, Please see us in the welfare office on the 1st Floor of Mont Rose House. We understand that Pregnancy is a life-changing event. We will be more than happy to advise/support you and signpost you to the relevant services and get you other support such as taking a break from your course, an academic plan pre/post pregnancy, reasonable adjustments, hardship fund, laptop loan, academic mentor, extension, buddy scheme & DSA while you’re learning at Mont Rose College. You may also wish to look at the various support available for you on the following websites:

• Parents Learning Allowance
• Child Care Grant
• https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/

Maintaining social connections during your time at Mont Rose College may also be helpful. You may also wish to practice Mindfulness. The Welfare Service understands it is not for everyone. Still, if you are interested, it involves taking a walk, meditating, watching a movie, listening to music, having a bath, getting enough sleep, exercising, or anything that may make you feel better about yourself. We are a confidential service here to help support and keep you safe.

If you have a Mental Health Condition such as Low Self-Esteem, Depression, Schizophrenia, Eating Disorder, Bi-Polar, Personality Disorder, PTSD, Paranoia, Self-Harm, Body Dysmorphia, OCD and Phobias. Please get in touch with the Welfare Service. We are located on the 1^st Floor Mont Rose House. We will be more than happy to advise/support you and signpost you the relevant services and get you other support such as taking a break from your course, reasonable adjustments, a hardship fund, laptop loan, academic mentor, extension, buddy scheme & DSA while you’re learning at Mont Rose College. You may also wish to look at the various support available for you on the following websites:

• org.uk
• Local crisis team
• NHS Mental Health help line: uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-urgent-mental-health-helpline

It may also be useful to maintain social connections during your time at Mont Rose College. You may also wish to practise Mindfulness. The Welfare Service understands it is not for everyone, but if you are interested, it involves things like taking a walk, meditation, watching a movie, listening to music, having a bath, getting enough sleep, exercise or anything that may make you feel better about yourself.

If you feel lonely, the Welfare Service. We are located on the 1^st Floor. We will be more than happy to advise/support you and signpost you the relevant services and get you other support such as reasonable adjustments, hardship fund, laptop loan, academic mentor, extension, buddy scheme & DSA whilst you’re learning at Mont Rose College. You may also wish to look at the various support available for you on the following websites:

• Samaritans
• Buddy Scheme (Mont Rose College Website)
• Meetup App
• WhatsApp Group with other students in your class.
• Volunteer UK

It may also be useful to maintain social connections during your time at Mont Rose College. You may also wish to practise Mindfulness. The Welfare Service understands it is not for everyone, but if you are interested, it involves things like taking a walk, meditation, watching a movie, listening to music, having a bath, getting enough sleep, exercise or anything that may make you feel better about yourself.

Mood swings are sudden or intense changes in an emotional state. If you are experiencing this and unsure how to get help, please get in touch with the Welfare Service. We are located on the 1^st Floor. We will be more than happy to advise/support you, signpost you the relevant services, and get you other support such as reasonable adjustments, hardship fund, laptop loan, academic mentor, extension, buddy scheme & DSA whilst you’re learning at Mont Rose College. As well as signposting you to medical professionals for help and support.