Wellbeing support

We take our students' health and wellbeing seriously. We know, as you do, that students need to be healthy and happy in order to fulfil their potential and maximise their chances of getting that dream job.

Mission

Our Wellbeing Service at the University of Sunderland in London is dedicated to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and empowering environment for all students. Our mission is to promote holistic health and wellbeing, ensuring that every student has the resources, support, and opportunities necessary to thrive personally and academically. Our services encompass Mental Health Advice, Wellbeing Advice, Finance Guidance and Advice, Disability and Accessibility Support, and International Student Support and Advice.

Hours of Operation:

Wellbeing Services are available Monday to Friday, 9AM-5PM.

Please note: The University of Sunderland in London is piloting a 4-day work week. Therefore, availability of individual advisers on the team will vary across the week.

Make an Appointment:

Students who wish to meet individually with a specialist adviser, or anyone who would like to refer a UoSiL student to the Wellbeing Service, can do so by completing this form: Wellbeing Referral Form.

If you have received a diagnosis for a disability or a long-term health condition, the Disability Adviser on the Health and Wellbeing Team is here to explore options for reasonable adjustments that can cater to each student’s specific needs. We are equipped to provide support for a range of conditions, including motor and sensory impairments, physical ailments, and auto-immune conditions.

If you have a disability, a specific learning difference, or any other additional needs, such as a long-term medical condition, you may qualify for the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA).

Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) provides financial support to students with disabilities for study-related costs. It is separate from student finance and does not need to be repaid. DSA covers expenses like specialist equipment, non-medical helpers, travel, and disability-related study support. Students need a needs assessment to determine the support they require. Payment is made directly to the suppliers, although reimbursement is made to the student.

What Does DSA Cover?

Specialist Equipment: Specialist equipment tailored to individual needs, such as assistive technology, mobility aids, ergonomic furniture, recording devices and specialist software.
Non-Medical Helpers (NMH): This includes support such as British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation, specialist study skills and strategy support for students with specific learning difficulties (SpLDs) or autism spectrum conditions (ASC), and specialist mentor support for students with ASC or mental health difficulties.
Travel Allowance: A travel allowance may be used to pay the additional costs of travel to and from the campus which are incurred because of a disability. This typically goes towards the cost of a taxi.
Specialist Sessions: Access to specialist mentoring and study skills sessions. Both provisions aim to provide specialised support to students with either SpLDs or mental health conditions, enabling them to develop the necessary skills, strategies, and support systems to succeed academically and personally.

Applying for DSA:

If you're thinking about applying for DSA, the process is simple. We advise all students to apply as soon as possible, as the DSA team can receive a lot of applications at the beginning of a semester and therefore the process may take slightly longer than usual. 

1. Complete Application: If you're in receipt of Student Finance and studying an undergraduate degree, you can complete an application via your Student Finance portal and upload your medical evidence. Alternatively, you can complete a PDF form. The process is slightly different if you're studying a post graduate degree, are self-funding or an international/EU student who has lived in the UK five year prior to the start of your course or with an indefinite leave to remain or settled status. 

If you're an undergraduate student that is funded by Student Finance, then you can complete a DSA 'Slim' Form: Disabled Students’ Allowances Application Form (slc.co.uk)
If you're studying a postgraduate degree, are self-funding your course, an international/EU student that has lived in the UK five years prior to the start of your course or have an indefinite leave to remain or settled status, then you will need to complete the DSA 'Full' form: Application for Disabled Students’ Allowances 2023/24 (slc.co.uk)

2. Submit Application: All PDF applications and supporting medical evidence can be forwarded directly to the DSA Team via: dsa_team@slc.co.uk. If you're in receipt of Student Finance, you can apply directly via your Student Finance portal.

3. Book Study Needs Assessment: Once the DSA team have processed your application and confirmed eligibility, you will be sent a DSA1 letter to confirm this, also asking you to schedule a study needs assessment. You can either follow the steps within the letter to find a local assessment centre, or alternatively, you can forward us a copy of your letter and we can make the referral for you. Once you've attended your assessment, a report will be drafted and forwarded to yourself and the DSA team.

4. Receive Recommended Support: The final step in the process will be for you to obtain your recommendations. Once the DSA team have received a copy of your needs assessment report and are happy to fund your recommendations, you will be issued a final letter, a DSA2 letter. This will contain contact information for the suppliers of your recommendations and you will need to contact them directly and have equipment delivered, or your services scheduled.

Reasonable Adjustments

We strongly encourage students to schedule a meeting with the Disability Adviser to discuss their specific needs and explore how we can accommodate them effectively. Enquiries and requests are handled on an individual basis. Even if a student shares a diagnosis with a peer, needs may differ, so we strive to tailor our support to meet the unique requirements of each student.

In order to justify and implement any reasonable adjustments, evidence will be requested to confirm your diagnosis and gain a better understanding of how it affects you. All adjustments are based on your evidence and conversations with you and the Disability Adviser. We aim to collaborate with students to determine the most suitable support measures to help your academic goals.

Examples of Reasonable Adjustments Include:

Additional Time
Coursework Extensions
Library Concessions
Lecture Slides in Advance
Accessible Materials
Alternative Content Format
Non-Medical Human Support (BSL interpreters, notetakers, readers, etc...)
Assistive Software
Access to Transcriptions
One-to-One Specialist Mentoring
Access to Audio Recording Device

SpLD's include Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and ADHD. The Health and Wellbeing team can support you if you already have a diagnosis or wish to seek one if you believe you are displaying traits.

What we can offer

Screening and Diagnostic Assessment: If you think you may be showing traits of an SpLD, we offer students an opportunity to investigate this further, with the potential of a fully funded diagnostic assessment with an educational psychologist.

Already Diagnosed? If you have already received a diagnosis, you can forward us a copy of your diagnostic assessment report and we can discuss academic support that you will be entitled to.

Available Resources: We have a variety of resources available, range from assistive technology, examination arrangements specialist study skills sessions.

Screening and Diagnostic Assessment

Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD and other SpLDs typically impact reading and spelling skills and can also affect short-term memory and the speed at which information is processed. Individuals with an SpLD may encounter challenges when taking notes, planning, and writing essays. Expressing their knowledge and understanding in writing, especially in timed situations like exams, can be particularly difficult. Additionally, they may struggle with time management, organisational skills, and occasionally miss appointments or deadlines. If you suspect that you have an SpLD, it may be necessary for you to undergo a diagnostic assessment. Our team is available to address any concerns you may have, guide you through the assessment process, and provide advice on the available support for specific learning difficulties.

Before your assessment, you will be required to complete a dyslexia questionnaire. You have the option to pause its completion and resume later if needed. However, please note that only completed questionnaires will be reviewed and responded to. Once we have reviewed your responses, we will send you an email within 15 working days to inform you of the screening outcome. If we identify signs of a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), we will fully fund an assessment for you. However, if there are no indications of an SpLD, we will refer you to Academic Skills for general study support. If we identify signs of a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), we will fully fund a diagnostic assessment for you with an educational psychologist. However, if there are no indications of an SpLD, we will refer you to Academic Skills for general study support.

The assessment will involve a series of psychometric tests designed to evaluate spatial, verbal, memory, reading, and spelling abilities and can take up to 3 hours. The psychologist may be able to provide you with the assessment results immediately after its completion. A copy of your report will be sent to yourself and the Wellbeing team. Upon receiving the report, we will schedule an appointment for you with an adviser to review it and discuss potential support arrangements, including Disabled Students Allowance (DSA).

Reasonable Adjustments

Some examples of reasonable adjustments for students with an SpLD can include:

Assistive Technology: Offering specialised software, screen readers, or mind mapping software to help visualise concepts when planning for assignments
Examination arrangements: Granting additional time for exams to students, use of a PC due to slow writing speeds or illegibility, use of coloured overlays, or assistive software
Access to audio recording devices: This is useful for students who struggle keeping up with taking notes during their classes, especially if that class is not video recorded and made available for access at a later date
Access to lecture slides in advance: Having academics provide you with content prior to the start of your class, allowing you to review content prior and have less content to note-take for during your class
SpLD Cover note: Our cover note is only applicable for students diagnosed with an SpLD, where spelling, grammar and structure of your written work may be impacted. The idea is for markers to show leniency when marking down on these areas, but to still provide feedback so you are aware
Coursework extensions: If you struggle to meet deadlines due to organisational issues or if you have a weakness with processing information, meaning you must re-read content to process and retain, then an extension on deadlines can be offered

Examination Arrangement Request Deadline

Please note, the deadline for us to guarantee implementation of your agreed examination arrangements is 30 working days before the start of the relevant examination period.

What are Examination Arrangements?

If you are dealing with a long-term disability or condition, it is crucial to take the necessary steps to ensure that your examination arrangements are tailored to your needs. To begin, it is recommended that you register with the Health and Wellbeing team so that we can assess your requirements and make appropriate arrangements well in advance. This includes determining any individual accommodations that may be necessary for your exams and other assessments. If you wish to request for exam arrangements but do not want to meet with our team, you can still make an application.

Once your request has been processed and agreed by our team, we will liaise with the university Admin team, who organise exams for all students, to make sure you receive arrangements on the day.

Examples of possible exam arrangements that may be considered based on individual needs include:

Extra time: Allowing additional time for completing exams to account for difficulties in reading, writing, or processing information.
Use of PC: We can look to allow you to type your exams if you have mobility issues or an SpLD impacting writing speed/illegibility
Use of assistive technology: Providing access to specialised software or devices that assist with reading, writing, or other tasks.
Alternative formats: Offering exams in formats such as large print, Braille, or electronic versions to accommodate visual impairments or other specific needs.
Separate rooms: Providing a separate room for individuals who require assistive software that may distract other students, or may require human support due to their condition.
Scribes or readers: Assigning someone to read exam questions aloud or transcribe answers for individuals who have difficulty with reading or writing.
Access to medication/medical device/quiet snack: If your condition requires you to take take medication, monitor/manage glucose levels, then we may be able to look into allowing you access to these during your exam.
Use of coloured overlays: Some students may benefit from the use of a coloured overlay to help process printed information.
SpLD Cover Note: If you have an SpLD diagnosis, we have your cover note applied to your exams before they are sent for marking

By following the necessary steps and working with the Health and Wellbeing team, you can ensure that your examination arrangements are tailored to your specific needs, enabling you to perform to the best of your abilities during exams and assessments.

This is typically funded via DSA for students who are eligible. Most international students may not eligible, although we can still look to fund these sessions for you if you have received a positive diagnosis.
Sessions are typically offered either face-to-face, or remotely, although some suppliers may only offer remote sessions.
Most students we have worked with find these sessions useful and helped build confidence

What do the sessions involve?

Specialist One to One Study Skills support is designed to empower and equip you as an independent learner with the necessary skills to work more efficiently and effectively. Through personalised sessions with your tutor, you will have the opportunity to identify your strengths and utilise strategies tailored to them, enabling you to overcome areas of difficulty and enhance your overall academic performance.
During these sessions, a wide range of topics will be covered to address various aspects of your learning journey. Some of the key areas we focus on include:

Reading Strategies: Learn techniques to improve comprehension, retention, and fluency while reading academic texts.
Note-taking Methods: Discover effective methods for taking organised and meaningful notes during lectures, seminars, and independent study.
Essay Planning: Master the art of structuring and planning essays, ensuring logical flow and coherence in your writing.
Assignment and Presentation Structure: Gain insights into how to structure and organise your assignments and presentations to effectively convey your ideas.
Proofreading Skills: Develop your ability to identify and correct spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors, ensuring your work is polished and professional.
Research Techniques: Enhance your research skills, including finding credible sources, evaluating information, and incorporating research effectively into your work.
Time Management and Organisation: Learn strategies to effectively manage your time, prioritise tasks, and stay organised to meet deadlines and reduce stress.
Attention and Concentration Techniques: Discover techniques to improve focus and concentration, enabling you to stay engaged and absorb information more effectively.
Examination and Revision Strategies: Acquire effective strategies for preparing and revising for exams, maximising your performance and confidence.
Memory Techniques: Explore various memory techniques to enhance your ability to retain and recall information more efficiently.
Presentation Skills: Develop effective presentation skills, including structuring content, engaging the audience, and delivering a compelling presentation.

You will have different unique strengths, struggles, and health and wellbeing needs. We understand that there will be certain events or circumstances that may affect your wellbeing while attending University.

Mental health includes how we feel, think, behave, and navigate the world around us. Therefore, taking care of one’s mental health is key to their academic success and overall quality of life. It is common for students to face increased levels of stress, anxiety, loneliness, and other emotional challenges while studying.

Wellbeing support

Mission

Hours of Operation:

Make an Appointment:

Email us

Disability and Accessibility Support

What Does DSA Cover?

Applying for DSA:

Reasonable Adjustments

Submitting Your Application

DSA Deadline

What we can offer

Screening and Diagnostic Assessment

Reasonable Adjustments

Examination Arrangement Request Deadline

What are Examination Arrangements?

What do the sessions involve?