Togetherall is a FREE online resource where you can connect with a Counsellor, talk to peers, find helpful resources and take online courses to support your mental health.
Sign up with your University of Bolton email address to access the service for FREE.
You can access support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with Togetherall
Whether you want to speak to peers or a counsellor, there will be someone there every minute of every day. You can join a supportive online community that’s totally anonymous, take part in a group course and take self-assessments.
Togetherall is a safe and anonymous online space you can go to if you’re feeling down, struggling to cope or just want to talk to people who understand what you’re going through.
Lots of students find Togetherall helpful as you can continue exploring your feelings at your own pace, speak to others in similar situations and make use of many resources without a time pressure.
Joining is easy too – just go to togetherall.com (or click here!) and use your uni email address. You then pick an anonymous username which is how you’ll be known on the service.
The University of Bolton Library has some great books and online texts if you are looking to further your knowledge in Wellbeing. Take a look at their page here!
Your feedback helps us improve our services for yourself and other users. It only takes a minute and you can share as much or as little as you like.
Email us at lifelounge@bolton.ac.uk
You can tell us:
Your support means so much to us, thank you!
2020 saw us move into a whole new world of working and studying remotely from our homes. It's been tricky - some of us haven't been able to see friends or family for some time, we have limited time outside, and we have had to adjust to whole new routines and ways of working.
These are unprecedented times - we haven't had experiences like this before, and so there is no 'right' or 'wrong' way to do things. We are all figuring it out together.
We do know, however, that there are a number of steps that are key to helping our wellbeing, and we should try and keep these in mind as we find our way through this.
Find below key resources which can help you adjust to living in Social Isolation.
You may also find it useful to explore our other pages in this LibGuide, including 'Wellbeing Information and Resources', our Stess and Anxiety sections and our LEAP modules, which include Managing Anxiety and Mindfulness.
On the 5th November 2020 the government implemented a second lockdown which is due to end on the 2nd December 2020
Please visit the government COVID guidance for more information.
You can access support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with Togetherall
Whether you want to speak to peers or a counsellor, there will be someone there every minute of every day. You can join a supportive online community that’s totally anonymous, take part in a group course and take self-assessments.
Togetherall is a great source of support outside of normal office hours and means you can support when our services are closed, including evenings, weekends and outside of term.
Go to Togetherall.com to join with your uni email address – it takes 5 minutes and you have immediate access to support.
We are all currently adjusting to a new way of living, working and socialising whilst we socially isolate due to Covid-19. In reality though we can feel isolated at various times in our journey at University.
For some of us, it can be really tricky to work out what we need to do now to stay physically and emotionally healthy. That's why the Life Lounge team created this module - we hope it can give you an insight into focussing on what's important, allowing you to look after yourself when you are feeling isolated.
Andy King our Cognitive Behavioural Therapist has created this great video to help you manage anxiety around COVID and attending University including tips on how to manage the anxiety we may feel.
NHS
The Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust have published an in-depth guide on looking after yourself and your family during the Covid-19 Outbreak. It is a really great tool, covering a number of key issues for us at the moment, including:
The page offerred us a lot of inspiration to stay positive and busy during the lockdown - be sure to take a look!
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust 24/7 helpline
https://www.gmmh.nhs.uk/crisis-care/
0800 953 0285
We felt really inspired watching these athletes and adventurers talk about how they get through hard times. Whilst optimism and positive times are important to keep our heads up, finding ways to keep going through the challenging times, such as by reaching out to others and opening up is so important.
One of our Mental Health Advisors, Antonia Dewsbury, created this great video for the charity 'Our Blue Light', who support the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Blue Light front line staff and their families.
In the video Antonia talks about different things we can do to help us manage our wellbeing particularly in these difficult times of lockdown.
The 5 Ways to Wellbeing provide us with key areas to work on and develop, which can help us achieve a holistic sense of wellbeing.
They include:
Try It! - Try and complete at least one activity from each of these areas every day!
Go for a walk (be active) and take notice of your surroundings, including spring flowers or autumn leaves (be present). You could even turn this into a jog and try to build up your running skills (learn a new skill). Later on, call a friend for a chat (connect) and if you can, give your time to help them solve a problem (giving to others).
Still stuck for ideas why not visit Mindkit's 5 ways to wellbeing page which will generate ideas for you based on how much time you have. You can also visit Student Minds 5 ways to wellbeing page which includes apps and other guides which can help.
Achieving the 5 ways to wellbeing can be incredibly fulfilling. You might find some areas harder than others - but this can make them even more rewarding when you complete them!
Take a look at the Samaritans Website.
The Samaritans support services are available to everyone. They support with a wide range of issues and aim to ensure everyone has someone to talk to when they need it. They have created this webpage to offer great tips on looking after your mental health whilst we manage the Covid-19 pandemic. Take a look at their website, and view their video here:
VIDEO SERIES:
Our friends at UniSmart released their own Lockdown Series of videos, sharing great tips on looking after your wellbeing:
You can see their first video here, or follow the links below to see the rest of the series.
If you are isolating at the moment and finding it difficult to connect with others or fill your time give these a go!
Visit the University of Bolton's Students Union for information about online virtual events, societies you can join, support and much more.
Visit United We Stream for online music events and festivals. Join events from the comfort of your own home for a small donation.
Visit Student Space to find out about about services for your wellbeing .
Visit Togetherall mental health and wellbeing support online 24/7 including anonymous online forums etc with your peers. Use your student email address to register.
Visit Culture Whisperer to stream theatre productions right to your home
Visit the NHS fitness videos for virtual workouts
Visit Panoba for a list of free tours of some of the best UK museums.
Visit House Beautiful for a list of free tours of national treasures like Buckingham palace, Stonehenge and more.
Visit Creative Live for free virtual classes for all kinds of hobbies
Missing your friends, why not have a virtual quiz night by using Kahoot!
Looking for some local courses and not self isolating, why not access one of these free courses ran by Bolton College:-
Deane and Derby, Board St, BL3 5EH
Mental Wellbeing – Using Computers to Create a Community Magazine, Tuesdays, 1-4 PM, 24 November - 15 December
To enrol, Tel 01204 482920/email deane.derby@boltoncc.ac.uk
New Bury, Buckley Lane, Farnworth, BL4 9PR
Positive Planning for Positive Futures, Mondays, 1-4 PM, 2 November – 23 November
Self-Care Sanctuary, Thursdays, 9.15-12.15, 5 November - 17 December
To enrol, Tel 01204 482960/email newbury@boltoncc.ac.uk
Brownlow Fold, Eskrick St, Halliwell, BL1 3EF
Building Resilience for Health & Wellbeing, Thursdays, 12.15-3.15, 12 November – 17 December
Steps to Better Mental Wellbeing, Creative Crafts, Wednesdays, 1-4 PM, 30 September - 23 December (still enrolling)
To enrol, Tel 01204 482900/email brownlow.fold@boltoncc.ac.uk
Do you need a listening ear?
Talk to Chaplain Gill
(Don’t let the collar put you off; I’m here for all students)
It is very difficult time for many students who are worried about their lectures, their assignments and working without the support of their friends at the University. I am sure many of you keep in touch with your friends using different social media. Lectures are all online but it’s not the same as being able to get in touch with your tutor at Uni.
The Chaplain is available for all students, faith or no faith, and although I’m not in the Uni I can still be contacted. I won’t talk about faith unless you want me to. Contact Chaplain Gill by email chaplain@bolton.ac.uk or text 07967 585670. I will reply as soon as I can and we can talk by email, by phone or I can arrange a zoom meeting.
I’m a Church of England Priest but if you want to talk to a Chaplain of a different faith contact me and I can put you in touch with Roman Catholic, Muslim, Hindu or Jewish Chaplains.
Any other faith group? Still message me and I will get someone to contact you
The chaplaincy is also offering drop ins on Wednesdays and Guided Meditation sessions via zoom on Tuesday's. Contact Rev Gill for more information or check out the attached fliers.
The Life Lounge team developed the resource below for students at the University of Bolton during the Covid-19 pandemic, which is affecting many of our students. We encourage you to engage with the practical and emotional support that the University offers, which is discussed further in this guide.
The guidance provides information to help you understand grief further. There are also links to charities and organisations who offer support and resources to help you.
Students who are studying with us from Overseas may have additional queries at this time.
We have created this document to help you access the right support for you.
Attached above is a helpful guide to support in the University and externally targeting the specific needs of our international students.
Helene Kelly is our International Student Journey Officer. Helene will be able to help you with questions you may have about your Tier 4 visa. Helene can be contacted on +44(0)1204 903496 or by email at H.Kelly@bolton.ac.uk
You may want to get support from Bolton Student Union, get involved, or connect with students. Visit their website to find out all the ways you can get involved and gain support.
If you have spiritual needs and are not sure where to go in the local area contact our Chaplaincy team who will be more than happy to help.
Sometimes you may feel that you need support from outside of the University. That is ok, we totally understand. The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) is the UK's national advisory body serving the interests of international students and those who work with them.
UKCISA has a really helpful website that covers a range of queries around visas, immigration, employment, funding, support services and much more. Click the link here to visit the site.
If you cannot find the information you need after looking at our website, phone our Student Advice Line on +4420 7788 9214 which is open at the following times: Monday to Friday (except for public holidays): 1.00pm to 4.00pm (UK time)
Here are some mental health information resources that are available in a range of community languages:
The Royal College of Psychiatrists offer translations of their mental health information resources.