Staying in Cardiff for Christmas
If you are staying in Cardiff for Christmas, the University are asking that you let them know through your online SIMS account.
The University's campuses and halls of residence will remain open during the Christmas recess. There will be reduced staffing from the end of teaching on 18 December to 4 January 2021. However there will be a wide range of services and support available to you during this time.
Most of the University's teaching will move online from Monday 7 December, for the remainder of 2020. This is to comply with Welsh Government guidance. Your Academic School should email you to confirm if your teaching will be moving online for the rest of the term and, if so, when your last teaching day will be.
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national student, you may choose to stay in Cardiff given the Brexit transition and changes from 31 December 2020.
Students' Union
Student Advice will be closed from 18th December until 4th January.
To find out our opening times and latest updates visit our COVID-19 web page.
The Study Caffi will now close on Friday 18th December, and will reopen in the new year, subject to easing Government regulations.
University Support
A range of support services will be available to you during the Christmas recess as detailed here:
- Urgent advice Find out what to do if you need urgent advice, including what to do in an emergency, concerns about yourself or others, disclosing an experience of violence or abuse and other useful support.
- Student Connect Student support and wellbeing will be providing remote access to services. During the Christmas recess you can call Student Connect on +44 (0)29 2251 8888 for wellbeing support.
- Talk Campus TalkCampus brings students who are going through the same struggles together. It provides an instant connection 24/7 with someone to talk to, to listen and to understand what you are going through. It's professionally moderated and is powered by a leading mental health support network TalkLife. Find out more about TalkCampus and how to access it.
- Chaplaincy Chaplaincy will be available in case of emergency over the Christmas recess and will offer one-to-one pastoral chats if needed.
- Self-help resources The University have a self-help resources and access pre-recorded wellbeing workshops, for information, advice and coping strategies that address common student challenges. These include: anxiety, depression, building resilience and stress, mindfulness, managing lifestyle, improving sleep, exam anxiety, relaxation techniques, facing the uncertainty of COVID, culture shock, and homesickness.
Christmas hamper
The University is giving a Christmas hamper to each student staying in their student residence over the recess. Hampers will be available for collection or delivery from 23 December. You will be able to place your hamper order from 14 December and all orders must be received before 10am, 18 December. To place your order:
- visit the Marketplace before 10am 18 December
- sign in and select ‘Christmas Hamper’
- before checking out, select your collection point or delivery location
- any enquiries please contact?foodanddrink@cardiff.ac.uk
Residence Life events for all students
The University's Residence Life team will be running Christmas and Winter themed Zoom events between 14 and 18 December to help bring students staying in Cardiff together. Activities and events include a ‘Cuppa and Chat’, film nights, live bake-offs and cook-alongs, quiz, wellbeing workshops and origami. All students who attend can sign up to receive a free Residence Life Christmas Pack and will be entered into a Prize Draw to win Amazon and grocery vouchers. Find out more about Residence Life activities. You can also follow @ResidenceLifeCU on Instagram.
Christmas in the City
Take a look at Christmas in Cardiff for upcoming events and things to do, including alpine food and drink, Christmas markets, live music, gigs, sport, theatre, comedy, festivals, family fun and more.
Spending Christmas on your own
If you do have to spend Christmas on your own, ask a friend to phone or videocall you. If you are not sure who would be best to contact you, or you do not feel able to reach out to a friend, you could join the Stand Alone Facebook community and keep connected to others who are in a similar position to you.
Stand Alone is a charity that helps people of all ages that become estranged from their family. They have also put together a Festive Guide which you may find helpful. You can also look at some of our ideas around managing loneliness.
Contact Student Advice
Advice@cardiff.ac.uk
+44 (0)2920 781410