Student support services at Goldsmiths

There has been a significant investment in the Counselling, Wellbeing and Disability and Inclusion Service teams over the past few years.

The Student Wellbeing Framework sets out our commitment to the physical and mental wellbeing of all students.

This page details some of the things we do.

Wellbeing support

Students can complete a form to access Wellbeing support, including making an appointment with a Wellbeing Adviser.

The Wellbeing team sees students who experience a range of emotional, circumstantial and mental health difficulties. The Wellbeing team work with each student to create an individual wellbeing plan, referring them to other sources of internal or external help if necessary.

Counselling

Ongoing counselling is offered to students following a referral via the Wellbeing team.

In addition to providing ongoing therapeutic services to students, the counselling team also offer a number of psycho-educational workshops for students over the academic year.

The team has produced a range of online videos and guidance to assist students facing a range of situations: starting university, procrastination, panic, exam stress, bereavement, isolation and loneliness, CBT, introduction to hypnosis, managing uncertainty, finding your voice in a seminar.

Disability

Disability Advisors offer appointments over the phone and on Microsoft Teams or face-to-face. They work with students to establish support plans and communicate these to staff involved in implementing the support.

The support ranges from teaching and learning adjustments, to non-medical support (study skills, mentoring, BSL interpretation, etc.) and access to Assistive Technology. Diagnostic assessments for Specific Learning can also be facilitated by the team.

Universal Reasonable Adjustments were introduced in 2023, giving disabled students quicker access to adjustments in their learning.

Multi-faith and wellbeing space

Our Multi-Faith Chaplaincy includes two Multi-Faith Chaplains - an Anglican Multi-Faith Chaplain and a Muslim Multi-Faith Chaplain who work closely with volunteers from other faiths. They are trained and experienced in supporting students of all faiths and none, and will provide a range of faith services including:

• One-to-one and group support
• Organised events and activities such as lunches and discussion groups
• Information on local places of worship including churches, synagogues, mosques and gurdwaras
• Signposting to our volunteer chaplains and local faith leaders

Report and Support

When dealing with Report and Support cases, the Report and Support Triage team can refer students for specialist support within the Wellbeing team.

The Wellbeing team can coordinate a timely referral to key sexual violence external agencies and can provide ongoing support to ensure that the events have a minimal impact on the student’s academic progression and life at Goldsmiths.

Campus Support team

The Campus Support team is available to provide friendly, overnight support for students. 

They are here to be the first point of call for absolutely anything, seven days a week from 6pm-6am.

IAPT – Improving Access to Psychological Therapies

This is an NHS programme that focuses on treating adults with depression and anxiety.

Goldsmiths student can request to receive their IAPT practitioner appointments on campus. Students may speak to their GP about IAPT support, or approach an adviser from Goldsmiths’ Wellbeing team.

Humankind (substance misuse clinic)

The Wellbeing and Counselling teams have established closed working links with Humankind, a specialist substance misuse clinic, formerly known as Blenheim. Humankind offer a range of recovery services designed to meet the unique needs of people facing drug or alcohol-related issues.

Blenheim is committed to providing free, friendly and non-judgemental advice, support and treatment for individuals and their families, friends and communities.

Dedicated GP partnership

We have a contract with Amersham Vale Practice (based next to New Cross train station) to provide ring-fenced appointments for Goldsmiths students. This dedicated GP team provide a joined-up service with the NHS.

The Wellbeing and Counselling teams are able to refer students in urgent need for a same day appointments and liaise with them for quick provision of medical evidence to assist with Extenuating Circumstances applications and registration with the Disability team.

Money matters

An online financial education system (Blackbullion) helps students with their money matters.

Academic staff training

We run regular ‘Supporting Staff to Support Students’ briefings alongside more specialist sessions aimed at Senior/Personal Tutors, Heads of Departments and staff in student-facing roles. Approximately 80-100 staff typically attend these sessions during the autumn and spring terms.

In addition, a comprehensive ‘Supporting Staff to Support Students’ information is available to all student-facing staff in academic departments. This is reviewed and updated, where necessary, on a yearly basis and accessible via our staff intranet.

Staffing

2022/2023

1 x Head of Service
1 x Counselling Manager
3 x Counsellors/CBT Therapist
3 x Locum Counsellors
2 x Mental Health Advisers (Counselling and Wellbeing)
1 x Deputy Head of Service (Disability, Wellbeing and Advice)
4 x Wellbeing Advisers
4 x Disability Advisers
4 x Support Coordinators
6 x Campus Support (Out of Hours provision)
Total: 29

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Page last updated September 2023