The Student Advice Team wish you a happy and peaceful Festive Season.
Student Advice in the Students’ Union is closed from 4pm on Wednesday 17th December, and will reopen at 10am on Wednesday 7th January 2026. No emails or voicemail messages will be read or responded to during this time. If you need support, below is some information about the services that might be available for you and their opening hours over the Christmas period.
At the University, Student Connect and all Student Life Services will be closed from Tuesday 23rd December. The Centre for Student Life will also be closed from Tuesday 23rd December and will reopen on Monday 5th January 2026.
There are lots of charities and organisations that will be available over the Festive break to provide wellbeing support.
Information about support and service closures can be found on the Student Intranet here.
If you are staying in Cardiff for the Festive break then check out our Winter Wellbeing webpage to see the events we have running across December and January.
Emergency Support Information
If you feel you are at imminent risk of harm to yourself and/or are experiencing suicidal ideation, dial 999.
For 24/7 emergency mental health support call 111 and press OPTION 2 to be placed in direct contact with a mental health professional in your area.
If you are not sure whether it is an emergency but you need medical advice or support, then you can call 111 or visit NHS Direct.
Mental Health Support
Samaritans – 116 123 – 24/7 service maintained over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and all other bank holidays. Their email service will also be available at jo@samaritans.org, where they aim to respond within 24 hours.
C.A.L.L Mental Health Helpline for Wales – 0800 132 737 – 24/7 service maintained over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and all other bank holidays.
SHOUT – text SHOUT to 85258– 24/7 service maintained over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and all other bank holidays.
Rape Crisis (England and Wales) – 0808 500 2222 – 24/7 service maintained over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and all other bank holidays.
Live Fear Free (Domestic Violence Helpline) – 0808 80 10 800 – 24/7 service maintained over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and all other bank holidays.
RISE Cardiff Helpline for Women (Domestic Violence, Abuse and Sexual Violence/Abuse) – 02920 460 566 - 24/7 service maintained over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and all other bank holidays.
Switchboard LGBTQIA+ Helpline – 0800 0119 100 – 10am-10pm service maintained over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and all other bank holidays.
BEAT (Eating Disorder Support) – 0808 801 0677 (England) 0808 801 0433 (Wales) 0808 801 0432 (Scotland) 0808 801 0434 (Northern Ireland) – 3pm-8pm over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and all other bank holidays.
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) Support for Men – 0800 58 58 58 – 5pm-midnight over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and all other bank holidays.
As above, you can call 111 for non-emergency NHS support, and 999 in an emergency 24/7, 365 days a year.
Your GP is also likely to be available prior to the Christmas bank holidays. You will need to check their practice-specific opening hours. Make sure that you’ve ordered any repeat prescriptions that you might need over the Christmas bank holidays, as most pharmacies or chemists will be closed over this period.
Help if Homeless
If you are concerned that you might become homeless in Cardiff over the Christmas period, we recommend that you contact the Shelter Cymru Homelessness Helpline on 08000 495 495 (England and Scotland - 0808 800 4444). The Cardiff Housing Options Centre can also be contacted on their out of hours telephone number – 029 2057 0750. The helpline is available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999.
University Services
The Arts and Social Studies Library and the Health Library, will remain open 24/7 – you will need a valid student ID card to access these facilities.
Limited IT support will be available via:
- it-support@cardiff.ac.uk
- 029 2251 1111 (Please note, some requests may not be resolvable on weekdays between 17:00 and 08:00, or during weekends and bank holidays.)
University Accommodation
If you’re planning on staying in University Accommodation, let your reception know by Friday 12th December. Receptions will be closed from 4pm on Friday 23rd December – Monday 5th January. Catering services in part catered residences will not be available between 13th December – 11th January. The University Hall Bus Service will not run between 13th December – 11th January.
Students' Union Building
The Students’ Union building and The Lounge will be open 24/7 throughout the Christmas period, but no Students’ Union services will be available until Monday 5th January 2025 at the earliest.
The Student Advice Team wishes all students, staff and their families a restful and enjoyable festive break. We look forward to seeing you in 2026.