If you think you or someone you know has experienced assault, there are many support options available to both students and staff. Talking things through with someone you trust such as a friend, relative, or colleague can sometimes help. If there is an immediate danger call 999 or if you are on campus (Birmingham) then you can call Campus Safety via 0121 359 2922 or via the Safezone app.
Support from the University
- The Student Solutions Centre (Birmingham) - The first point of contact for areas relating to student support and advice. They will be able to point you in the right direction with regards to which service may be suitable to your needs.
- The Mental Health and Welfare team includes professional mental health advisers offering support and advise, including safeguarding assessments and interventions.
- The Wellbeing team offers counselling and psychotherapy, wellbeing advice and our chaplains offer care, support, connection and a listening service for people of faith or no faith.
- The Disability and Neurodiversity Support team provide advice and support for students with disabilities, ongoing health conditions and specific learning differences.
Support from the Students' Union
- Aston Student Advice – you can also get independent and confidential advice and support from the advisers based at Aston Students’ Union. They will be able to speak with you about your situation, your options and make you aware of the support service available.
It can sometimes be helpful to get in touch with local or national organisations for additional support, or if you would prefer to speak to someone outside of the University. Below are some services which may be useful for you.
Support for staff
Initially you may wish to speak with your line manager or if that is not appropriate then you can also contact HR directly.
Employees can also seek support through the University’s Employee Assistance Programme, PAM Assist, which is a free confidential and life management and personal support service available to staff 24 hours a day, 365 days a year: 0800 882 4102
UNITE and UCU also provide support to their members.
Support outside of the University
It can sometimes be helpful to get in touch with local or national organisations for additional support, or if you would prefer to speak to someone outside the university.
- Samaritans - You can call for free on 116 123 for non-judgemental emotional support 24/7, regardless of what you’re going through. You can also email them at jo@samaritans.org.
- Togetherall - An anonymous 24/7 online global community with support from trained professionals which you can log onto using your university email address.
- National Bullying Helpline for practical support to anyone who is experiencing bullying. Call 0845 22 55 787, 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday.
- Victim Support help anyone who has been the victim of a crime. They can support you coping with the after-effects of crime and help with reporting to the police.
- Citizens Advice Bureau for information regarding assault at work.
For a full list of specific specialist support for yourself and/or others, please click here.
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