As the year comes to a close, here’s what you need to know about support over the festive period.
Your Students' Association
Your Students' Association will closed from Friday 19th December to Friday 2nd January 2026. During this time our main inbox (studentvoice@arden.ac.uk) will not be monitored, and we will do our best to respond to queries upon our return.
Read about your Student Leaders Festive Traditions
Our independent Advice Service will still be open until 23rd December and will reopen on the 2nd Janaury 2026.
Over this time we hope all our members have a restful break. However, just incase you still require guidance and support you can access our website. We have also listed other activities and sources and support in the following articles on the website:
Advice Service
Seasonal Volunteering
Staying busy
University
Many university services will have limited or no availability from Tuesday 23rd December until Friday 2nd January, these include:
Wellbeing Services
Wellbeing services will be closed from Wednesday 24th December 2025 and will no re-open until 2nd Janaury 2026.
Should you need some non-emergency support throughout this period, there are lots of resources in relation to mental health and disability support on the wellbeing portal. You can also find our support request form within this resource as well as links to make an appointment with one of the team from the 2nd January 2026.
Wellbeing Portal
Spectrum Life
Arden University Students can access our 24/7 support partner Specturm Life. You can access free in the moment support and counselling via phone, Live chat, SMS, Whatsapp or through the Digital Wellbeing Plaform (using your student email address and organisation code: Arden).
Contacting by phone
UK: 0800 0318227
International: 003531 518 0277
WhatsApp/SMS: Text "Hi" to +44 7418 360 780
Digital Wellbeing Platform
Togetherall
All Arden university Students have access to Togetherall, which includes free online support for students 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Arden students can sign up and get support whether you're struggling with sleep, feeling low or stressed, Togetherall can help you get support, take control and feel better.
Sign Up
Careers Service
The inbox will not be monitored over the winter break. However, you can still access information on finding and applying for jobs, career planning and future courses with the Careers Chat bot
Speak to the Careers chat bot
Learning Success Hub
The hub will be closed over the winter break. However, you can still access all their online resources through the Learning Success Hub. If you need assistance, we recomend you look through the guidance on the following pages.
Getting Started
Support Pages
We hope that you can find some time to rest, relax and recharge for the new year, and be proud of all the progress you’ve made in 2025. We understand that you might choose to use this period to study, work or volunteer, but please be kind to yourself - plan in some fun activities and time to reflect on what you’ve achieved this year too!
Your Student Hub is fully equipped with everything you might need over the break, with links to your main online platforms including iLearn, Careers, the Learning Success Hub, Wellbeing Portal, and Your Students’ Association.
Help in a crisis
In an emergency, please contact 999 or present to A&E if appropriate. You can also contact 111 for non-urgent medical advice or find a GP near you.
Find a GP near you
Mental health and other support
Your Students' Association has collated the resources and contact information for a range of external charities and organisations that can help you with anything from mental health to hardship support. You can find this information on our external resources page.
External Resources
Some of these external organisations created specific resources to support over the festive period. We have included links to these below:
Samaritans
Open 24/7 for anyone who needs to talk.
Resource: Information on coping at Christmas
Shout
Provide confidential 24/7 text service offering support if you’re in crisis and need immediate help.
Resource: feeling less alone over the festive season
Stand Alone
Is a charity supporting adults who are estranged (not in contact) from their family.
Resource: Festive guide to the Christmas period
CALM
Provides a helpline and webchat, as well as information and support, for anyone affected by suicide or suicidal thoughts. The helpline and webchat are open from 5pm to midnight every day.
Resource: feeling anxious at Christmas