Introducing WLV Student Life Connect

Student Update: Changes to student wellbeing support - Introducing WLV Student Life Connect

The following message from the University's Academic Lead for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Clare Dickens, was circulated to students via email on 31 October. 

I hope you're keeping well and that the first few weeks of the academic year have been enjoyable.

I am delighted to inform you that we have commissioned a new platform called WLV Student Life Connect which has been developed in collaboration with Care First and is a free counselling, information and advice service offering support for issues arising at university, home, or work. It is a FREE, CONFIDENTIAL, INDEPENDENT, and IMPARTIAL source of support.

We will no longer be offering these services through Togetherall (previously Big White Wall) following feedback from you that you needed a support facility that offers optionality and variety, with the ability to talk to a UK-based trained counsellor 24/7, 365 days a year either by telephone, live chat or on a one-to-one basis.

All students will be enrolled to access advice, guidance, and support on a wide range of care issues, health issues, benefits and entitlements, relationships, childcare, anxiety, depression and more.

The service can be accessed via our own WLV dedicated phone line (0333 212 0672) and webpage with an online chat function 24/7, 365 days a year.

Download the My Possible Self app

Access WLV Student Life Connect support services on the go, through the My Possible Self (MPS) app.

This is a mental health app that will help you to reduce anxiety and stress, and improve low mood. This unique health management resource promises to help you to;

• enhance your wellbeing
• lead a healthier lifestyle
• improve your personal wellbeing score
• identify aspects of your lifestyle that need some focus.

Organisation Code: SoD2021!

Access the Care First website

In addition to a range of online wellbeing resources, a 24/7 online chat function is also available for students, by visiting the Care First website and entering the following login details;

• Username: uowstudent
• Password: student

This online platform also offers legal advice and information from legal specialists. Guidance is available on debt management and finances, and even support with issues such as unresolved parking tickets.

The service is live and available right now for anyone who feels that they need it. 

Find out more on Student Life Connect on our Mental Health & Wellbeing advice webpages. 

Further support from the University

You can access the WLV Student Life Connect at any time, as well as a range of wider mental health and wellbeing support services available from the University at wlv.ac.uk/mhw.

Throughout the year we will continue to communicate support available to you, which will include a team of mental health and wellbeing practitioners; a suite of face-to-face and online psychoeducational sessions; as well as external services commissioned to deliver on-campus bespoke and specialist services and care, such as sexual health. This is in addition to wider student support services which include a disability and inclusion team, our support to study and cause for concern pathways, and our student money and funding team. Find out more at wlv.ac.uk/support. 

I wish you all the very best for a successful and supported academic year.

Take good care.

Clare Dickens MBE
Academic Lead - Mental Health and Wellbeing