How we stay safer, together

There are simple things we can do in our daily life that will help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections and protect those at highest risk.

4 simple safety tips

• Get vaccinated
• Let fresh air in 
• Practice good hygiene and consider wearing a face covering in crowded, enclosed spaces
• Stay home if you feel unwell with a high temperature

If you feel unwell

If you are unwell and have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to carry out normal activities, we offer a support package in halls to enable you to stay in your room for a few days while you recover.

You should also check the current government guidance for people with symptoms of a respiratory infection including COVID-19.

1. If you’re worried about your symptoms

If you are concerned about your symptoms, or they are worsening, contact 111 or speak to your GP. In an emergency dial 999. You can also contact the Warden and Hall Manager in your hall. 

2. If you need to stay in your room for a few days

Call our Self-isolation Support Line: 020 8191 0865

A trained advisor will be able to provide you with immediate advice and activate our support pathway for staying in your room, including meal deliveries, if you are in catered accommodation.

This service is intended for times when you feel too unwell to continue your normal daily activities. You don't need to call this number simply to report feeling unwell or to report a positive coronavirus test. 

Remember to tell your college/university as well.

3. Be safe when you leave your room

If you leave your room while you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, and you have a high temperature or feel unwell, avoid close contact with anyone who you know is at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell, especially those whose immune system means that they are at higher risk of serious illness.

The following actions will reduce the chance of passing on your infection to others:

• wearing a well-fitting face covering made with multiple layers or a surgical face mask
• avoiding crowded places or anywhere that is enclosed or poorly ventilated
• taking any exercise outdoors in places where you will not have close contact with other people
• washing your hands regularly and cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
• keeping your distance from people you share facilities with (e.g. bathrooms, shared kitchens)
• ventilating rooms you have been in by opening windows and leaving them open for at least 10 minutes after you have left the room
• cleaning frequently touched surfaces in shared areas such as kitchens and bathrooms

GermDefence is a website that can help you identify simple ways to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 and other viruses. People who use GermDefence are less likely to catch flu and other infections and are less likely to spread them.

If you are in self-catered accommodation with a kitchen that you share with others, please arrange with them a time so that you can always use the kitchen last, so no one else will be using it. A WhatsApp group chat would be a great way to organise this. 

4. Use delivery services instead of going out

Consider ordering food and other essentials online, for delivery to your hall, instead of going out shopping. You might find this list of delivery companies useful. If you are expecting a delivery, please phone the reception for your hall and let them know. We will try to bring your delivery to the door of your room as soon as possible.

5. Meal deliveries for catered residents

If you live in catered accommodation and you’re staying in your room due to being unwell, we will deliver meals to your room, every day for the first three days.

Mon-Fri, breakfast and lunch will be delivered together in the morning, followed by dinner in the evening. Sat and Sun, brunch will be delivered in the early afternoon, followed by dinner in the evening.

If you experience any problems or delays with delivered meals, please call the reception desk in your hall.

After the first three days, we will assume that you feel better and have ended your stay-at-home period. However, if you still feel unwell, call the reception desk in your hall and let them know that you need to extend your meal deliveries. We can provide up to a maximum of 10 days, if needed.

Please note we are only able to offer a meal delivery service for residents in catered rooms.

6. Ending your stay-at-home period

You can resume normal daily activities when you no longer have a high temperature (if you had one) and you feel better.

Your wellbeing

It's important that we all take care of our physical and mental wellbeing during challenging times.

Here are just a few ways to explore personal wellbeing and get help. You're always welcome to talk with a member of the halls team for more.

There is always someone available in your hall to help.

• The Warden's team is here to offer general wellbeing and pastoral support. They are normally available in the evenings and at weekends. You can contact your Warden by email or call your hall reception to get in touch with the duty Resident Advisor if you need to speak with someone urgently.
• The Hall Management team look after the building and all the services and facilities. They are usually available during normal office hours and can help with practical concerns like deliveries and waste management in self-isolation. You can email your Hall Manager or call reception to speak with someone more urgently.
  

We also want to let you know about some other services that could be helpful:

• The university or college where you study offers a range of support services for students.
• The University of London subscribes to London Nightline - a service that offers confidential listening and support for students.
• Student Space by Student Minds has a service dedicated to supporting students with mental and emotional issues related to COVID-19.
• The Senate House Library Wellbeing Collection provides a variety of supportive resources for members, covering a wide range of issues and themes. Many of these resources are available online.
• Shout  is the UK’s first 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help.
• The Mix is a support service for young people. They can help you take on any challenge you’re facing - from mental health and money, to finding a job, break-ups, and drugs. You can contact them via their online community, on social, through their free, confidential helpline or use their counselling service.
• See our list of some other great services that can provide free urgent/crisis support over the phone, online, and/or by text. 

And finally, some NHS resources:

• Every Mind Matters  - expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing.
• What to do if you're a student and it's all getting too much.
• Get urgent medical advice at NHS 111 online or by calling 111 from any UK phone.

If you're looking for professional help with something specific, you could also search Hub of Hope - available online or as an iOS app / Android app.

Questions or concerns?

Get in touch with the Warden or Hall Manager in your hall.