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Welcome
Welcome
Welcome. We have put together these pages as a resource for students. We update these pages regularly - please do let us know if you have a resource which you'd like to share with others (disabilitysupport@brookes.ac.uk).
We know that the advice and resources on these pages are valuable and helpful, and also want to acknowledge that there is a lot of information to think about, which may feel overwhelming for some of us. If you do feel a little overwhelmed, you could try sitting down with someone and exploring these pages together or you could look at it with a pen and paper to hand, and jot down a few things that you could try.
This first page is organised around the 'Five ways to wellbeing', though we have sneaked in a sixth - structure and planning - especially important right now. Use the drop-down menus to find out more. Then have a look at the menu on the left for more on Mental health, Disability-specific resources, Groups, and Links to all the key Brookes information relating to coronavirus.
These pages have been updated to help us all as things continue to change at Brookes and beyond.
Just to highlight three great places to start:
this brilliant free e-book How to Stay Calm in a Global Pandemic (with great illustrations);
Mind's excellent resource on Wellbeing and coronavirus;
this article on tips and tricks to help you cope in a pandemic (as a student).
Wellbeing Contacts
Wellbeing Contacts
The Wellbeing teams continue to support students remotely and in person. The best/quickest way to reach us is usually via email:
If you have a named contact for the Inclusive Support (Disability and Dyslexia/SpLD teams) you can email them; otherwise please email disabilitysupport@brookes.ac.uk or dyslexiaspld@brookes.ac.uk.
The Multifaith Chaplaincy are offering Crafternoon Tea in person and other online and in person events (including prayer and meditation). Please see social media channels for the latest info and support, or email chaplain@brookes.ac.uk.
The Student Welfare team can be contacted via email studentwelfare@brookes.ac.uk.
Contact details for the counselling team are on the Wellbeing website.
Structure and Planning
Structure and Planning
Though the rest of this page is organised around the '5 ways to Wellbeing', we have added a sixth, which seems particularly important in these challenging times. For most of us, as a result of the pandemic, our usual routines, structures and plans have been thrown in the air; this is particularly true for students. Students tell us that taking time to find new routines and structures which work for them really help.
This simple weekly planner is one of many you can use to structure your time. Everyone's plan will be different. Experiment to try find a daily/weekly plan that works for you; then find ways to help you follow it (alarms, help from others, apps, etc). Plan for your university work, but plan for other things too - from practical tasks to things which give you a boost to get through the day. Be kind to yourself and build in contingency time too, for days which don't go according to plan.
Here are some helpful tips on time management from the Open University.
The Student Room has a good resource on making your study space more effective (and lots of other good advice from other students).
Lots of us are finding it hard to focus on anything for very long at the moment. If that applies to you, have a look at the pomodoro technique - a great way to chunk up your time and get stuff done!
Spoon theory is a great way to think about using daily energy (or spoons) wisely if you have a hidden or chronic disability, well-loved by many disabled students. But maybe we all have limited spoons right now ... how do you want to use yours?
Connect
Connect
Even though we may need to maintain social distancing in order to protect ourselves and others, it is more important than ever to stay connected with others. Finding new ways to stay connected as things change at Brookes and beyond are vital.
As we've all found out, staying connected involves changing what we do, and means different things to different people. It all counts, from a regular zoom meeting to a quick catch up text, from saying hi as you pass someone in the street to following your favourite podcasts.
Online alternatives exist for many groups, with more appearing all the time. There are ideas here of how to set up a remote book group, but it could apply to anything. See here for the best games to play during lockdown . And there is always www.netflixparty.com.
Stay connected through Brookes Union www.facebook.com/groups/BrookesUnionCommunity/
This is a good short film on how to deal with social isolation, featuring the first British person in space.
It might also be helpful to just notice the connections that we miss, and acknowledge that we find that tricky. The Touch Test on Radio 4 tells us a lot about what we miss because of social distancing.
Give
Give
Individuals who report a greater interest in helping others are more likely to rate themselves as happy. Supporting others can provide focus and structure. Please bear in mind current guidelines on lockdown, social distancing and self-isolation and your own personal situation when planning to help others.
Brookes Union have put together a great page on Mutual Aid. For regular updates on a wide range of volunteering opportunities, see facebook/brookes volunteers.
Since March, groups in Oxford have been working to put together people in need of support with those able to offer help - for more details see volunteering during covid-19 . Through Oxford Hub you can provide phone support or even run someone's prescription for them. For those outside Oxford, have a look at this list of local groups around the world.
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations has some great advice and ideas on how to help others right now.
For general advice on protecting yourselves and others whilst volunteering, see www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/council/coronavirus-covid-19/volunteering.
You can help remotely. This article has some ideas for volunteering at a distance. From the comfort of your own home , through Zooniverse you can connect and help with research projects - from searching for stars to counting iguanas.
Take Notice
Take Notice
Being in the moment and noticing the world around you can have a significant impact on your mental health. Going for a walk in some of the wonderful green spaces we have in Oxford, and noticing the natural world, is something that many students tell us is really important and refreshing for them. Of course, in isolated and separated times, we need to consider the current rules and also what feels okay. There are loads of examples and ideas for noticing online, but we particularly like:
Explore has links to lots of live cams of wildlife - from baboons to bald eagles - whilst www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams means you can watch and observe the aquarium tanks.
You can visit 12 of the best museums in the world from wherever you are.
And go on the best virtual field trips (including slime in space and Mars!).
MIND has some great information and resources on Mindfulness. Oxford Mindfulness are using Zoom to offer free weekly livestreamed mindfulness workshops on Wednesday evenings for those who are experienced in using mindfulness. All the sessions are available as podcasts (and they are excellent!) and there are also monthly guest speakers. If you just have a few minutes, try three-minute breathing space .
Alternatively, finding something to challenge and absorb you can be a different way to take some time for yourself you (lego, learning a language are great examples). See more in this article: getting good at waiting.
And ... get as much sunlight, fresh air and nature in your life as you can.
Keep Learning
Keep Learning
Whilst studying for your course, it can be especially hard right now to find focus and concentration. Learning of all kinds- whether study or learning new skills - can provide structure to your day and give meaning and purpose, as well as improve your self-esteem and connection with others.
Keep your brain occupied and challenged. Set aside time in your routine for this. Read books, magazines and articles. Listen to podcasts, watch films and do puzzles.
Brookes libraries have a specific page for resources during COVID-19, including access to new resources not usually available. Some local libraries have apps you can use to borrow ebooks, audiobooks or magazines from home for free.
FutureLearn and OpenLearn have free online courses you could try - brush up on skills or try something completely different.
An amazing source of brilliant 'boredom busting resources' can be found at chatterpack.net.
Kirsten Baker, midwifery lecturer and friend of Wellbeing has made this fabulous film to show us how to make our own bread.
The MARCH network has an inspiring page of links to creative, home-based resources.
Be Active
Be Active
Regular physical activity is associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety, and helps us cope in difficult times. Yet it can also be really hard to find the space, motivation and energy to exercise.
Some students have started running regularly using a program like the Couch to 5K app and several have told us about the brilliant Zombies, Run! game (which also has a version of the Couch to 5K)
There are loads of online exercise classes out there. Have a look at NHS fitness studio. The Body Coach, Joe Wicks has loads of YouTube videos to get moving with!
There are plenty of other free online classes listed on Good Housekeeping and make your body work. A great chance to try things which you normally have to pay for ... And lots of inspiration and cheap home workout ideas on This Girl Can.
Brookes Sport have uploaded some workout videos to their youtube channel
Follow these links for local walks around Brookes or around Headington
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