How to get support
We want all staff at Birmingham Newman University to feel safe, supported and able to reach their full potential.
We have in place a comprehensive network of support services available to staff across the University.
Contact an Advisor within HR:
Disclose an unwanted incident(s) anonymously:
If you are in immediate danger
On Birmingham Newman University Campus
- Call Security on 07535 519 828
- Press your nearest emergency alarm button. A map showing the emergency alarms across campus can be found here: Maps – Birmingham Newman
Off Birmingham Newman University Campus
- If you are off campus, call 999
For non-emergency situations
For staff, the University’s internal support options include:
- The University’s designated health and wellbeing information page for employees: Staff Health and Wellbeing.
- University’s Employee Assistance Programme which gives you access to accredited counsellors via their 24/7 confidential telephone support line. The Employee Assistance Programme offers advice and information on a wide range of topics including: stress, relationship difficulties, bereavement, family issues, anxiety, emotional problems, health and wellbeing, financial and debt support, legal support.:
- Human Resources Department: Contact Us Human Resources is an internal department within the University who provide support for both staff and managers relating to the employee lifecycle. The Human Resources Department can advise you of the support options available to you as a member of staff at Birmingham Newman University.
- The University’s Dignity at Work Contact Advisors: Dignity at Work Contacts who are trained contacts within the University, able to provide advice and guidance on the support options available to you as a member of staff.
- The University’s designated Mental Health First Aiders: First Aid Contact List (including Mental Health Advisors) within the University can provide first line mental health support and signpost individuals to mental health and wellbeing support available to them: First Aid
- The University’s designated Safeguarding Officers: Safeguarding, trained individuals who can signpost staff to the University’s Safeguarding Policy and Procedure and talk through the process involved in making a Safeguarding report
The University’s recognised trade unions (UCU and UNISON):
- Unison Branch contact details: UNISON
- UCU email: UCU@newman.ac.uk
- UCU contacts
Chaplaincy Team – the Chaplaincy team is experienced in providing a confidential and welcoming space where staff can receive pastoral and spiritual support, whatever their background or beliefs. Anyone is welcome to visit and access this support.
If you aren’t sure what to do, please contact an advisor within the Human Resources Department:
- Telephone: 0121 387 4587
- Email: Discloseandsupport@newman.ac.uk
- Contact an Advisor
Contact an Advisor within HR:
Disclose an unwanted incident(s) anonymously:
External support which may be available to you includes, but is not limited to the options listed below:
Immediate Support
If you require immediate support, the options available to you include, but are not limited to:
- Contact your doctor’s surgery (GP) and request an emergency appointment. If your doctors is not open, contact the NHS Out of Hours Service on 111, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobiles.
- Call the Samaritans on 116 123 available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobiles.
- If you feel at immediate risk of harm to yourself, go straight to your nearest hospital Accident and Emergency department or call Emergency Services on 999.
- Call the Forward Thinking Birmingham Crisis Team on 0300 300 0099 and select option 1. They support people experiencing an extreme mental health or emotional crisis and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Other sources of support
- Mind is a national charity with local centres which provides information, support and guidance for anyone experiencing a mental health problem, or anyone who is supporting someone with a mental health problem. They also have a comprehensive list of specialist organisations and resources.
- Able Futures can offer up to nine months of confidential mental health support to help you cope with work whilst you manage a mental health condition such as anxiety, depression or stress.
- The Priory Wellbeing Centre Birmingham offers outpatient treatment for conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress, addictions and eating disorders.
- Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) offers support to men in the UK, of any age, who are down or in crisis via their helpline, webchat and website.
- BAME HUB-UK provided tailored mental health and wellbeing support for BAME communities.
- Mind Out is a national mental health service run by and for the LGBTQ+ community.
- West Midlands Police
Sexual assault referral centres (SARCS)
- Horizon SARC (Birmingham) provides confidential support to anyone affected by rape or sexual assault. The specialist team can provide emotional support, access to counselling, support from an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA), medical services such as sexual health care and emergency contraception, forensic examinations, practical help, and information about the process of reporting to the police.
- Blue Sky Centre is a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Coventry offering confidential support, medical care, and forensic services to anyone affected by sexual violence. Support is available 24/7, whether or not you choose to involve the police – 02476 865505.
National Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line – 0808 500 2222
The Survivors Trust is a national membership organisation supporting specialist rape and sexual abuse services
Rape Crisis England provides free, local support and services for victims and survivors of rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse and all other forms of sexual violence
Refuge is the largest domestic abuse organisation for women, supporting thousands of women and children who are trying to escape domestic abuse
Mankind is a confidential helpline available for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence across the UK
The NHS domestic violence and abuse page includes phone and email contacts for support organisations. It also includes information about making a safety plan.
Contact an Advisor within HR:
Disclose an unwanted incident(s) anonymously:
The University cares for its local community. However, it cannot provide welfare support to members of the public. Should you be a member of the local community, this page signposts to external support options available, both nationally and locally.
If you are in immediate danger
On Birmingham Newman University Campus
- Call Security on 07535 519 828
- Press your nearest emergency alarm button. A map showing the emergency alarms across campus can be found here: Maps – Birmingham Newman
Off Birmingham Newman University Campus
- If you are off campus, call 999
For non-emergency situations
External support
which may be available to you includes, but is not limited to the options listed below:
Immediate Support:
If you require immediate support, the options available to you include, but are not limited to:
- Contact your doctor’s surgery (GP) and request an emergency appointment. If your doctors is not open, contact the NHS Out of Hours Service on 111, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobiles.
- Call the Samaritans on 116 123 available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobiles.
- If you feel at immediate risk of harm to yourself, go straight to your nearest hospital Accident and Emergency department or call Emergency Services on 999.
- Call the Forward Thinking Birmingham Crisis Team on 0300 300 0099 and select option 1. They support people experiencing an extreme mental health or emotional crisis and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Other sources of support:
- Mind is a national charity with local centres which provides information, support and guidance for anyone experiencing a mental health problem, or anyone who is supporting someone with a mental health problem. They also have a comprehensive list of specialist organisations and resources.
- Able Futures can offer up to nine months of confidential mental health support to help you cope with work whilst you manage a mental health condition such as anxiety, depression or stress.
- The Priory Wellbeing Centre Birmingham offers outpatient treatment for conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress, addictions and eating disorders.
- Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) offers support to men in the UK, of any age, who are down or in crisis via their helpline, webchat and website.
- BAME HUB-UK provided tailored mental health and wellbeing support for BAME communities.
- Mind Out is a national mental health service run by and for the LGBTQ+ community.
- West Midlands Police – https://www.westmidlands.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime”
Sexual Violence, Abuse and Assault related support:
Sexual assault referral centres (SARCS):
- Horizon SARC (Birmingham) provides confidential support to anyone affected by rape or sexual assault. The specialist team can provide emotional support, access to counselling, support from an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA), medical services such as sexual health care and emergency contraception, forensic examinations, practical help, and information about the process of reporting to the police.
- Blue Sky Centre is a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Coventry offering confidential support, medical care, and forensic services to anyone affected by sexual violence. Support is available 24/7, whether or not you choose to involve the police – 02476 865505.
- The Survivors Trust is a national membership organisation supporting specialist rape and sexual abuse services – https://thesurvivorstrust.org/
- Rape Crisis England provides free, local support and services for victims and survivors of rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse and all other forms of sexual violence https://rapecrisis.org.uk/
- Refuge is the largest domestic abuse organisation for women, supporting thousands of women and children who are trying to escape domestic abuse – https://refuge.org.uk/
- Mankind is a confidential helpline available for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence across the UK – https://mankind.org.uk/
- The NHS domestic violence and abuse page includes phone and email contacts for support organisations. It also includes information about making a safety plan.
- National Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line – 0808 500 2222
Report a Complaint (via Members of the Public Complaint’s Procedure)
Disclose an unwanted incident(s) anonymously:
We want all students at Birmingham Newman University to feel safe, supported and able to reach their full potential.
We have in place a comprehensive network of support services across the University and externally.
If you are in immediate danger
On Birmingham Newman University Campus
- Call Security on 07535 519 828
- Press your nearest emergency alarm button. A map showing the emergency alarms across campus can be found here: Maps – Birmingham Newman
Off Birmingham Newman University Campus
- If you are off campus, call 999
or students, support is available in in residences, academic schools and through central services such as Student Success. This includes:
- If you are unsure of where to go or need any support or advice, please visit the Student Success Hub, from the first floor of the Library and across the bridge from the Atrium. You can also email the team at studentsuccess@newman.ac.uk.
- Mental Health & Wellbeing Support – the University’s team of Mental Health and Wellbeing Advisors can offer confidential support to students including those that have experienced or been affected by sexual violence either recently or in the past. Our team can facilitate access to counselling support.
- Sexual Violence Liaison Officers (SVLOs) are available on campus to provide confidential support to students affected by sexual violence. They offer guidance, help you understand your options, and connect you with appropriate services both within and outside the university. SVLOs are trained to listen without judgment and ensure you feel supported throughout your journey. The university SVLO’s are Tammy Oyekanmi and Jas Purewal
- Chaplaincy Team – the Chaplaincy team is experienced in providing a confidential and welcoming space where students can receive pastoral and spiritual support, whatever their background or beliefs. Anyone is welcome to visit and access this support.
- Student Wellbeing Page – for any queries regarding any aspect of student support, please contact studentsuccess@newman.ac.uk. or pop into the Student Success Hub on the first floor of the library, just across the bridge over the Atrium.
We know this list of services may feel overwhelming. If you aren’t sure what to do, just let us know. We’ll be able to get you to the right person and signpost or refer you to other services outside of the University too.
There are also external support options available to you. This support, in some cases, may be more appropriate to your wellbeing needs. The University may signpost you to external wellbeing services if we feel that they would be better placed to support you.
Immediate Support
If you require immediate support, the options available to you include, but are not limited to:
- If you feel at immediate risk of harm to yourself, go straight to your nearest hospital Accident and Emergency department or call Emergency Services on 999.
- Contact your doctor’s surgery (GP) and request an emergency appointment. If your doctors is not open, contact the NHS Out of Hours Service on 111, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobiles.
- Call the Samaritans on 116 123 available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobiles.
- Call the Forward Thinking Birmingham Crisis Team on 0300 300 0099 and select option 1. They support people experiencing an extreme mental health or emotional crisis and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Other sources of support
- Mind is a national charity with local centres which provides information, support and guidance for anyone experiencing a mental health problem, or anyone who is supporting someone with a mental health problem. They also have a comprehensive list of specialist organisations and resources.
- Able Futures can offer up to nine months of confidential mental health support to help you cope with work whilst you manage a mental health condition such as anxiety, depression or stress.
- The Priory Wellbeing Centre Birmingham offers outpatient treatment for conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress, addictions and eating disorders.
- Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) offers support to men in the UK, of any age, who are down or in crisis via their helpline, webchat and website.
- BAME HUB-UK provided tailored mental health and wellbeing support for BAME communities.
- Mind Out is a national mental health service run by and for the LGBTQ+ community.
- West Midlands Police
Sexual Violence Liaison Officers (SVLO)
Our Sexual Violence Liaison Officers, Tammy and Jas can help you with both the emotional and practical aspects of sexual violence support. We will handle your disclosure with confidentiality and discretion, and we will only share information without your consent in serious circumstances where we are required to take safeguarding measures to protect a child, adult at risk, or the wider campus community.
We offer a survivor-led service, which means that we will listen and help you decide what you need going forwards. We won’t make you report to the police if that’s not what you want. We will listen and talk you through the different support options available.
We support students who have experienced any type of sexual violence or harassment, regardless of whether it happened on or off campus, or whether it happened before or during your studies at Birmingham Newman. Our service is separate to the external Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) service.
With your consent, we can help you with:
- Referrals to counselling and medical services
- Academic and accommodation adjustments
- Understanding the reporting options available to you
- Navigating systems and resources within the University
- Signposting and facilitating referrals to external specialist support
Please note that our service is available during standard university opening hours and does not operate as a crisis provision. You can contact the Sexual Violence Liaison Officers via the Student Success team on studentsuccess@newman.ac.uk or by visiting the Student Success Hub from the first floor of the Library and crossing the bridge over the atrium.
Sexual assault referral centres (SARCS)
- Horizon SARC (Birmingham) provides confidential support to anyone affected by rape or sexual assault. The specialist team can provide emotional support, access to counselling, support from an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA), medical services such as sexual health care and emergency contraception, forensic examinations, practical help, and information about the process of reporting to the police.
- Blue Sky Centre is a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Coventry offering confidential support, medical care, and forensic services to anyone affected by sexual violence. Support is available 24/7, whether or not you choose to involve the police – 02476 865505.
- The Survivors Trust is a national membership organisation supporting specialist rape and sexual abuse services
- Rape Crisis England provides free, local support and services for victims and survivors of rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse and all other forms of sexual violence
- Refuge is the largest domestic abuse organisation for women, supporting thousands of women and children who are trying to escape domestic abuse
- Mankind is a confidential helpline available for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence across the UK
- The NHS domestic violence and abuse page includes phone and email contacts for support organisations. It also includes information about making a safety plan.
- National Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line – 0808 500 2222