This month, we are focusing on one of the?Five Ways to Wellbeing: Connect. Having a sense of belonging and connecting with other people is important for our wellbeing,?but this can be challenging in the BOB体育登录网址_欧宝体育官网平台-APP|下载 pandemic.

Loneliness is a feeling that we will all experience at one point or another – even if you are surrounded by people, it is possible to feel lonely. There are lot of ways to deal with the emotions that loneliness brings and to boost our wellbeing. Read through the?NHS’s?tips to manage loneliness during BOB体育登录网址_欧宝体育官网平台-APP|下载.

Ways to connect with?others:?

• SUSU Buddy scheme?– SUSU will aim to pair you up with someone with similar interests that you?chat to and make friends with.?You can join the scheme?regardless of where you are?currently living/based.
• Side by Side?is a supportive online community where you can share your experiences with others who understand what you are going through.
• The Social Prescribing Service?aims to work with you to find suitable activities and social support to improve your health and sense of wellness. If you have a BOB体育登录网址_欧宝体育官网平台-APP|下载 GP, you can refer yourself via the website. If your GP is based elsewhere, they may run similar services.
• SO: Linked?run a service linking people who are affected by the coronavirus situation to voluntary?organisations?who provide practical and emotional support. You can find out more information and refer?yourself?here.

If you feel nervous about connecting with other people, you may want to try?some?techniques for social anxiety.

Talk to Support Services:?

It can be helpful to?talk to someone?about how you?are feeling. The?Student Life team?are available to help you settle into University life and?make it a positive experience for you.?If you would like to talk to someone about the support that is available to you and make a short-term action plan, you can attend a?Student Support Drop-in.

Further reading:?

• The?Student Space?have articles about friendships and social life?including,?“Building a network during coronavirus”, “Addressing conflict successfully” and “Feeling lonely”.
• Mind?have?lots of?tips on?how to manage?loneliness.
• The?Mental Health Foundation?have a guide on nurturing our relationships.