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Weymouth College will be closing for the Christmas holiday this week, but support is still available for students over the festive period.
Students will break up for Christmas on Wednesday, 13th December and will be welcomed back to the College from Wednesday, 3rd January 2024.
If you are struggling or need support over the Christmas closure, there are many organisations you can reach out to that can offer help and advice.
Kooth is a free, safe and anonymous app helping young people to find counselling and online support, covering everything from relationship problems to anxiety and tips on how to relax.
Kooth’s live chat service has slightly reduced operating hours over Christmas, but support for young people is still available every day, including Christmas Day. See below for the live chat operating hours.
You can also click the links below for helpful support guides from Kooth:
- Lily’s story: How Kooth helped me with my anxiety
- Social anxiety
- Self injury
- Dealing with suicidal thoughts
- Creating your personal safety plan
- Understanding eating difficulties
You can find out more or download the app here: Home – Kooth
ChatHealth – a confidential text messaging service for students aged 11-19 – allows students to contact a School Nurse Via ChatHealth if they would like advice or support with anything they may be worried about.
This will also be available during the Christmas holiday. You can seek confidential advice from a member of the School Nursing team via ChatHealth by messaging 07480635511, Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm (excluding Bank Holidays).
The School Nursing team can provide advice and support around anything that may be worrying you such as anxiety, low mood, self-harm, bullying, family problems, relationships, alcohol, drugs, smoking and more. They do not need to share their name.
Following you message, you will receive an immediate bounce-back message to let you know that a message has been received and they will aim to respond to all messages within 24 working hours.
You can find more information on ChatHealth at www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/school-nursing/chathealth
You can also find more on Facebook at www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089483889236 or Instagram at www.instagram.com/dorsethealthcare_schoolnursing/
You can find details on more services that can provide support, and how Weymouth College’s Student Services Team can help you here: Student Services – Weymouth College and here: Safeguarding & Prevent – Weymouth College
Staying safe over Christmas
In the run up to Christmas, Weymouth College has been promoting student safety to ensure everyone enjoys the holidays without putting themselves at risk.
Local agencies and charities will be chatting to students in the canteen during lunch breaks this week, offering advice to help keep them safe over Christmas.
Top tips for a safe night out:
- Charge your phone before a night out
- Keep your valuables in a safe place and don’t leave your bag unattended
- Always stay within a group where possible
- Stick to well-lit areas
- Pre-arrange a safe way to get home – a taxi or a lift with someone you know
- Drink in moderation, eat before you drink alcohol and don’t forget to hydrate with water!
- Never leave your drinks unattended
- Stay away from hostile situations
If you feel unsafe on a night out, many clubs and bars offer safety initiatives such as ‘Ask For Angela’, and look out for local organisations offering support in Weymouth, such as the Street Pastors and Pineapple Project.